Battling buffering: New York makes a broadband push

Battling buffering: New York makes a broadband push

FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 file photo, Kelly Mack works on her laptop to teach remotely from her early 1940s vintage camper/trailer in her backyard at home in Evanston, Ill. Even though the federal government has spent tens of billions of dollars to close the digital divide, tens of millions of Americans still aren’t online. The Biden administration has now broached a big number, $100 billion, in an effort to get all Americans connected. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is pushing to bring service to those remaining high-speed have-nots with a $1.4 billion “ConnectALL” program that relies heavily on recently approved federal funds. As working and learning from home become more common, the governor argues that affordable broadband has become a necessity. New York will benefit from the massive infrastructure law signed in November by President Joe Biden, which includes roughly $65 billion for high-speed internet funding nationwide. The measure includes money for broadband infrastructure in rural areas and a $30-a-month subscription subsidy for lower-income households.

Photo: FILE – In this Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 file photo, Kelly Mack works on her laptop to teach remotely from her early 1940s vintage camper/trailer in her backyard at home in Evanston, Ill. . (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)