Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Meco) today brought attention to an issue that has long been overlooked by Albany: the need for further broadband internet infrastructure in the rural regions of Upstate New York.  Smullen believes this issue deserves more attention going into 2021 and is championing Assembly Bill 6679 to offer high-speed internet options to underserved areas of the state. Broadband access has been a problem for many rural areas, and the lack of reliable internet was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, particularly in the case of students who began working remotely and needed reliable internet access to learn.

“It’s just frustrating to see this year of the pandemic end without action on a common sense bill that passed the Assembly and Senate with broad bipartisan support.  One of the main lessons learned from this crisis is that broadband is of critical importance for education, commerce, telecommuting and telemedicine.  This is especially true in Upstate New York where there are pockets of isolation which put our people on the wrong side of the digital divide, Smullen said. “Our Assembly intent was clear, to deliver a bill that would not only elevate the lives of many New Yorkers, but would further the advancement of the state as a whole. To see it lay dormant at the end of the year is unacceptable.”

Assembly Bill A.6679, which Smullen voted in favor of, is designed to strengthen telecommunication throughout rural regions of New York. It requires the public service commission to review broadband and fiber optic services within the state and requires the expansion of broadband and fiber optic services.