Syracuse working to expand high speed internet across city

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — High speed internet may be standard for many people, but it’s a luxury for more people than you think. The city of Syracuse is now working to close the digital divide.

First launched in fall of 2023, the community broadband service program, surge link is currently available to low-income eligible families in Brighton, the near west side and the southwest neighborhoods for $10.00 a month. But the city is now working to expand beyond those areas.

“We know our digital divide in the city is much broader than just those neighborhoods. People struggle with internet connectivity and in our city its really an issue of affordability,” said Jennifer Tifft, director of strategic initiatives for the City of Syracuse.

With many people not having a reliable internet connection at home. But state funding could soon change that.

“If we do get the expansion grant we’d be looking to expand to cover the entire Valley. So really the southern most part of the city. Skunk City which is a small neighborhood to the west side where we see pretty low utilization of high speed internet today,” said Tifft.

It would also cover a large portion of the city’s Northside. Right now, the high speed internet program serves about 650 households. Altogether, the city is hoping to serve about 6,000 households.

“I think that any service that we can bring to our community members that are challenged financially with different things, we can bring a service that they can actually have, communicate, pay for and be well informed” said Rita Paniagua, common council member for the city of Syracuse.

The city is still waiting to hear back from the state for grant approval. If the funding is approved, families on the Northside and in the Valley could have service this coming fall.

Powered by News Channel 9.