For the Hudson Valley to grow smartly and attract the people and businesses to build a strong 21st century economy, it is essential that everyone have access to fast and reliable Internet. Simply put, now more than ever, innovation, education and commerce are all happening online. And cable companies, too often, shy away from providing service in some rural areas because the infrastructure isn’t there, leaving families and budding entrepreneurs with options that are undependable, slow and more costly.

In my district, for example, some 75 percent of Columbia County does not have reliable broadband access. And while Dutchess has more coverage, there are still pockets in the county’s rural center and north that have spotty or no high speed Internet. At our Diner Stops, people have shared frustrations about how this affects their lives and livelihoods. A mom stopped in to tell me her son was unable to complete his college courses online because her property, on the border of two towns, is not served by any of the current Internet providers. We have heard from small-business owners who are left helpless for too long by local providers when a seasonal storm knocks out their communication with customers. And often it is those who live in what is referred to as the “last mile”— the final leg of a telecommunications delivery network — who are the most challenged when it comes to getting service.

I’ve been watching with great interest the rollout, over the last two years, of a promising new technology right here in the Hudson Valley. This white space technology, which has been trademarked Super-Fi, has the ability to fill-in the “last mile” and provide our rural residents and businesses with reliable high-speed Internet. Using lower radio frequencies, it can broadcast from a single tower to entire communities without lines, penetrating trees, walls and weather. A company called ASA Networks recently completed a successful pilot program of this technology in Gallatin and is now expanding in southern Columbia County into Ancram and Copake, as well as into Chatham, with plans to service more towns in the future. A Gallatin couple I recently visited, who both work from home, were effusive about the round-the-clock reliability of this next generation technology. For more information about ASA Networks visit asanetworks.com or call 518-621-2200.

Increasing broadband access in my district is a top priority. In this year’s state budget, I helped secure $500 million for the “Broadband for All” program to help all New York families connect and I have cosponsored the Rural Broadband Deployment Act (A.1109), which would help those in underserved areas work with broadband providers to arrange for the deployment of service to their community. Out-of-pocket expenses incurred for the construction of the network would be eligible for a 100-percent refundable tax credit.

I’m optimistic that innovation like this new technology, in combination with our legislative efforts, will ensure our families and small businesses will be fully served. It is about time! If you have any questions about this or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at BarrettD@assembly.state.ny.us or 845-454-1703.