New York Governor Unveils $636 Million Broadband Expansion

New York State has advanced a slate of broadband awards totaling $391 million to 11 internet service providers, paired with more than $245 million in matching private funds. Together, the projects are expected to reach nearly 54,000 unserved and underserved locations, effectively bringing the state to universal broadband coverage under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The projects reflect a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite service. Roughly one-third of the targeted homes and businesses will be connected with fiber, 44 percent through fixed wireless, and the remaining 25 percent by satellite.

New York BEAD Award Breakdown

• $121.2 million to CBN Geneva, LLC for a hybrid fiber/wireless project covering 36 counties and two Tribal Reservations.
• $78.6 million to Archtop Fiber, LLC to serve 2,511 locations in the Hudson Valley.
• $64.5 million to Verizon New York, Inc. for fiber builds across 13 counties and the Tonawanda Reservation.
• $27.0 million to Spectrum Northeast, LLC to extend fiber in Chautauqua County and Tuscarora Nation.
• $20.4 million to SpaceX’s Starlink, which will provide satellite coverage for more than 13,600 locations across 37 counties.

Federal Backing and Local Impact

The awards draw from the $664.6 million BEAD allocation New York received under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Once finalized by the NTIA, they are expected to deliver high-speed internet to virtually all households still lacking service.

Lawmakers including Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand praised the program as a “once-in-a-generation” investment that ensures New Yorkers in every zip code will gain access to reliable, affordable broadband.

The BEAD Program Going in to 2026

New York’s awards come as states nationwide move through BEAD’s final award stage. While timelines vary, the Empire State is now positioned to be among the first to reach universal coverage targets, particularly with its blend of fiber deployments and reliance on wireless and satellite to cover hard-to-reach areas.

The broader market trend shows fiber dominating the bulk of BEAD-funded projects across the U.S., though fixed wireless and satellite solutions remain crucial for the “last mile” in rural and geographically challenging locations. New York’s mix reflects that balance: heavy fiber investment in populated regions, wireless to cover broad rural stretches, and satellite reserved for remote households.

As the BEAD program unfolds nationally, New York’s approach illustrates both the opportunities and trade-offs inherent in achieving 100 percent coverage. The state’s reliance on multiple technologies highlights a pragmatic strategy — but also signals ongoing debates about long-term service quality, competition, and affordability.