COVID-19 has reminded us of something we already knew, that access to high speed internet is essential for all of us today. Education, economic development, and essential services all require high speed internet.

While public schools are creatively tackling the issue of educating students remotely where broadband access is not equally distributed, public libraries have tried to meet the need for public computers with managed openings and regular sanitizing.

When COVID-19 stranded us at home and kept library buildings closed, those without access to broadband were at a disadvantage in all the ways we have come to be dependent on the internet. Working in a public library, you become aware of the lack of broadband availability in pockets of the county and of the need for internet access to complete a diversity of online tasks for school, employment, healthcare, etc.

There is positive news on this front. The Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act has passed both the NYS Senate and the Assembly and we can look forward to Governor Cuomo signing it into law before the end of 2020.

According to Senator Jen Metzger, who introduced the bill in the Senate, the Broadband Act directs the Public Service Commission [PSC] to “study the availability, affordability, and reliability of high-speed internet and broadband access in New York State.” More information about the bill is available at www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jen-metzger/senator-metzgers-bill-make-broadband-more-accessible-affordable

According to Senator Metzger, part of the goal for this bill is to fix the inaccuracies in the broadband deployment map developed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Metzger's bill directs the PSC to fix the problem by mapping broadband access in granular detail across the state. You can see if the broadband access at your address is accurate on the FCC map here: broadbandmap.fcc.

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Getting cable on your road or Wifi access in your home is one thing and paying for it is another. You, or someone you know, may be eligible (by income) for the Federal Communication Commission's Lifeline program which provides a discount on monthly telephone service, broadband internet access service, or voice-broadband bundled service purchased from participating providers. For information, go to www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/lifeline-support-affordable-communications.

If you are looking for an internet signal, try your local library. Most public library buildings provide Wifi that extends outside the building, often to the parking area or an outdoor seating area, and in many libraries it is available 24 hours a day. Call ahead if you are unsure about signal availability.

David Gordon, Legislative Director for Senator Jen Metzger, provided some of the information for this column.