New Kiosks Set To Provide Fast, Reliable, Free Wi-Fi, Wireless Communication, and Nationwide Phone Calls across NYC
New York, NY – July 12, 2022 – ZenFi Networks, an innovative leader of digital infrastructure solutions in the New York and New Jersey metro region, joined CityBridge, Comptek Technologies, Hugh O’Kane Electric, Co., and Silicon Harlem, along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew Fraser and New York State Assembly member Yudelka Tapia to unveil the first active Link5G kiosk, located in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. This expanded deployment of LinkNYC, which provides free public
Wi-Fi, nationwide phone calls, and other digital services to New Yorkers, will now offer 5G connectivity, with priority given to underserved areas throughout the five boroughs.
Link5G was designed by ZenFi Networks in partnership with Comptek Technologies and CityBridge to address the need for more wireless connectivity across New York City. The team’s objective was to design a multi-tenant, multi-technology, structure that could seamlessly integrate into the streetscape of New York City, without sacrificing technology.
“This was a great day for us to celebrate the efforts of so many different parties to better their community here in New York City. Link5G is revolutionary because it is a multi-tenant, multi-technology, wireless siting structure that incorporates digital equity in digital infrastructure. We’re proud to have officially launched the first Link5G Kiosk in the Bronx and are excited for the expansion across New York,” said Ray LaChance, ZenFi Networks Co-Founder and CEO.
Link5G will provide the infrastructure that cellular service providers require to expand 5G wireless technology across the five boroughs of New York City. Installation of the new kiosks is getting underway during this summer. The Link5G structure has five radio frequency (RF) transparent bays to ensure sufficient colocation opportunities for multiple wireless technologies from multiple wireless providers. Each structure has dedicated, neutral fiber infrastructure and ample power to enable 5G, free Wi-Fi, access to government and social services websites as well as free nationwide digital calling.
“Comptek is honored to be a part of such a great project as engineer-of-record and manufacturer in order to provide free public WiFi to underserved communities” said Jim Lockwood, CEO of Comptek Technologies. “It was a pleasure being with all the participating partners last Sunday to celebrate the first Link5G Kiosk.”
The city is working directly with LinkNYC, and in close collaboration with community stakeholders, to determine the appropriate exact locations for future kiosks, however it has been determined that 90% will be located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and above 96th Street in Manhattan.
In order to provide resources to historically underserved communities, priority for new builds will be given to specified equity community districts that were chosen based on lack of other broadband options, lower median annual incomes, lack of existing LinkNYC infrastructure, and high levels of pedestrian and street traffic. The new Link5G kiosks will offer expanded free services to New Yorkers with broader coverage, and newly available 5G spectrum radios will greatly increase coverage and capacity for all New Yorkers, especially in historically underserved areas.
“Accessible broadband and phone service isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. These new LinkNYC 5G kiosks are going to finally help to close the digital divide and expand and improve mobile technology coverage all over this city,” Mayor Adams commented at Sunday’s Bronx launch event. “When it comes to digital services, we know that too many New Yorkers have been left behind. Our administration is committed to changing that and ensuring that all of our city’s residents have access to tech services, no matter where they live.”
“The Bronx, one of the hardest hit communities by COVID-19, has experienced longstanding health and socioeconomic inequities, including a lack of access to affordable and reliable broadband internet,” said New York State Assembly member Yudelka Tapia. “I thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to end these disparities and coming to the Bronx to unveil the first Link5G kiosk in the city. Fast, reliable, and affordable broadband is not a luxury, it’s an essential
utility for learning, working, public health, and to ensure all people can thrive.”
Once fully deployed, there will be approximately 2,000 new Link5G kiosks throughout the five boroughs, which will bring the total LinkNYC network to at least 4,000 locations citywide.
For more information about ZenFi Networks, visit www.zenfi.com.
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About ZenFi Networks:
ZenFi Networks, an innovative digital infrastructure company that delivers wireless siting, offload and roaming, network edge colocation and fiber optic network solutions in the NY-NJ metro region, is creating a platform to allow different providers the opportunity to expand 5G. ZenFi Networks has an unparalleled reputation for efficiently architecting and delivering solutions tha enable not only Mobile Network Operators, Wholesale Telecommunications Providers, large enterprises but also the communities that need to be connected. With its purpose-built C-RAN infrastructure, ZenFi Networks is at the forefront of network architecture innovation and a critical part of the digital ecosystem in one of the biggest, most important markets in the world. For more information, please visit: www.zenfi.com.