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CITY OF ALBANY RECEIVES GRANT FROM NEW YORK STATE TO EXPAND
Tech Valley Communications to Remove One-Hour Time Limit for Albany FreeNet
Tech Valley Communications to Remove One-Hour Time Limit for Albany FreeNet Free High-Speed WiFi Access and More Than Double Access Points in Albany, Move Seen as Precursor to Greater Citywide Expansion
Albany, NY - Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings today announced that Tech Valley Communications (TVC) and the City of Albany have received a grant from New York State to expand Albany FreeNet into several new areas throughout the City, implement free digital literacy training programs and virtual workforce development programming, and provide highly subsidized desktop computers for those who cannot afford them. The grant totals nearly $625,000 and will allow Tech Valley Communications and the City to provide the highly successful Albany FreeNet in areas that were previously unserved.
"This is an important step in expanding digital literacy and access into every neighborhood in our City. We are working to break down the digital divide one block at a time, and we are grateful that New York State and Tech Valley Communications are helping us move forward," said Jennings.
"Access to broadband creates jobs, stimulates our economy and increases our quality of life," said Governor David A. Paterson. "New York State is proud to continue supporting this very important initiative. We must continue to set the pace for providing universal broadband access that is affordable, fast, and accessible to every New York resident."
"I am pleased to recognize the City of Albany and Tech Valley Communications as one of the Round 1 broadband grant recipients," said Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Office for Technology. "Digital access, affordability and literacy are critical to the success of New York's youth and communities. The broadband funding continues the progress made in Albany to increase the availability of broadband and foster economic growth."
The grant monies will be used to significantly expand Albany FreeNet service into the neighborhoods of Arbor Hill, West Hill, the South End and along Delaware Avenue - where Internet adoption rates are lowest - more than doubling the number of access points in the City of Albany. The wireless network will also support applications to enhance public safety and streamline City services.
Through partnerships with 20 local community organizations, the City of Albany will begin providing digital literacy classes and site-based job skill assessments - at no cost - to City residents through neighborhood-based Community Technology Centers (CTCs) overseen by the City's Department of Youth and Workforce Services. Participants in the skill assessments will have access to free e-learning licenses for virtual workforce training from New York Wired for Education and accessible via Albany FreeNet.
The grant program will also provide highly subsidized, WiFi-enabled computer hardware. The refurbished desktop computers are being built by GE Elfun Computer Rehab of Schenectady, Inc. and will be distributed (at very reasonable rates) through the Community Technology Centers.
"The goal of this grant will be to not only provide wireless Internet access in more parts of the City, but to also begin developing easily accessible 'resource hubs' for digital training and learning in City neighborhoods," said Carol A. Nersinger, executive director of the Albany Public Library. The Albany Public Library is a partner in the grant project and will be providing several of its branches to serve as Community Technology Centers.
We believe in giving back to the City that has been our home since the company's inception. This partnership with the City of Albany, the Albany Public Library and the community-based partners is at the core of Tech Valley Communications' corporate values. We have devised a sustainable business model to build a wireless network in the City of Albany and give back to the community in a way that enriches our community and provides shareholder value at the same time." said TVC CEO and Co-Founder Kevin O'Connor.
Albany FreeNet is provided and powered by Tech Valley Communications. Tech Valley Communications is a full service, facility-based competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) headquartered in Albany. TVC provides scalable, redundant and sophisticated voice and data services, including Albany FreeNet, utilizing the company's unique network design and state-of-the-art FirstLight® fiber optic assets.
The wireless network utilizes Wi-Fi networking technology from BelAir Networks, an important TVC technology partner. "BelAir Networks is deployed in the country's largest and most successful wireless internet projects and we're proud to be part of the City of Albany and Tech Valley Communications broadband initiative, which has all the hallmarks of success," said Stephen Rayment, chief technology officer of BelAir Networks.
As part of the grant, TVC will remove the current one-hour daily time limit on Albany FreeNet to provide users with free, high-speed Internet access 24 x 7. Tech Valley Communications will also provide more than $3 million in cash and in-kind contributions to make this expansion and program possible.
Tech Valley Communications, the City of Albany, and the Albany Public Library have also submitted grant applications to the federal government under President Obama's American Recovery & Reinvestment Act's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (part of the stimulus package passed earlier this year), which will extend the wireless network citywide.
"This announcement today is just another step towards our goal of making Albany the first City in the nation to provide every one of its residents - no matter where they live - the opportunity to access the Internet for free. We need the federal government to help us accomplish that. We need our representatives in the federal government - Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Tonko - to use their voices in Washington to make this dream a reality," said Mayor Jennings.
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