NYS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
BROADBAND PUBLIC HEARINGS
February4,2022
DearCommunityLeader/ElectedOfficial:
The Public Service Commission invites public comment regarding the Broadband AssessmentProgram to study the availability, affordability, and adoption of residential and commercial broadbandinternet access across New York State. The purpose of the study is to help determine what steps are neededtoensurethatallofNewYork’sconsumershaveaccesstotheinternet, asneeded.
Topics for public comment include but are not limited to: broadband internet service locations thatoffer a speed of at least 25 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream while 1 Mbps upstream is notavailable;locationsthatprovideaninternetdownloadspeedofmorethan25Mbpsbutarelessthan100Mbps upstream; barriers to access of services such as high costs; locations where there is only onebroadband internet service provider, and reasons why some consumers prefer to use wireless mobileserviceinsteadofthewiredbroadbandservice.
To ensure full public participation, the Commission will hold a series of virtual public statementhearings from February 23 to March 3, 2022, to solicit input and comments from your community. Theenclosed public statement hearing announcement provides detailed information on how to participate inthe public statement hearing and how to submit comments about the Broadband Assessment program.You may digitally add your comments by going to www.dps.ny.gov,click on “Search,” and enter theassociated matter number (21-02182) in the “Search by Case Number” field.For information about thestudyandsurvey,please gotowww.empirestatebroadband.com.
I would appreciate your assistance with informing your constituents about the public statementhearings and encouraging them to provide comments.The Commission intends to facilitate and encourageactiveandmeaningfulparticipationthroughoutallitsproceedings.Wehopeyouwillconsiderjoiningus.
Regards,
BruceAlch,Director
OfficeofConsumerServices