Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Broadband Availability

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold two virtual public statement hearings on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, to receive public comments concerning the availability, reliability, and affordability of broadband infrastructure in the State of New York.

The Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act directed the Commission to study, on an annual basis, the availability, reliability, and cost of high-speed broadband service in the State to ensure that all New Yorkers have the necessary affordable access going forward. On June 16, 2022, the Commission released the first-of-its-kind interactive broadband map and report, and, in accordance with the act, the Commission is preparing its annual update to that report.

The purpose of the hearings will be to obtain input from the public on these topics. Public comment, and especially the personal experience of commenters, should address topics including, but not limited to:

Locations where broadband internet service with at least 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream is not available, and what barriers are in place that limit its availability;
Locations where the offered download speed(s) of internet service are greater than 25 Mbps but less than 100 Mbps downstream;
Locations where there is only one broadband internet service provider;
Locations where broadband internet service is too costly for some consumers or businesses, and the size of the cost barriers;
Reasons (including but not limited to cost or lack of interest in the service) why individuals or businesses do not subscribe to broadband internet service where it is available; and
Reasons why individuals or businesses use cellular service to access the internet rather than subscribe to wired or wireless broadband alternatives.

Public comment is requested from individuals; internet service providers; other telecommunications companies; labor organizations; public safety organizations; and healthcare, educational, agricultural, and other businesses and organizations.

Each public statement hearing will be preceded by a brief informational session at which Department of Public Service (Department) staff will outline the Department’s information gathering process and the availability of a Federal program providing funding for income-eligible customers subscribing to broadband internet services.

All New York State residents, whether or not they make statements at the hearings, are strongly encouraged to participate in the Department’s data gathering project by completing a broadband speed test and survey available at https://mapmybroadband.dps.ny.gov. This survey may be completed online at home, on cell phones, or at local libraries with internet access. New York State residents unable to take the survey online due to lack of connectivity should contact the Department’s toll-free hotline at 1-855-NYBBMAP (1-855-692-2627) to request that a paper version of the survey be sent to their homes with a return envelope and pre-paid postage.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that two public statement hearings will be held virtually before the assigned Administrative Law Judge, as follows:

DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

TIME: 1:00 P.M.

Electronic Access: www.webex.com

Event Number: 2338 039 0319

Password: Mar21-1pm

Phone-Only Access: 518-549-0500

Access Code: 2338 039 0319

DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

TIME: 6:00 P.M.

Electronic Access: www.webex.com

Event Number: 2347 623 2711

Password: Mar21-6pm

Phone-Only Access: 518-549-0500

Access Code: 2347 623 2711

Those wishing to comment on any aspect of the issues in this proceeding will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearings. Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record at the hearings must pre-register by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023. Pre-registration is not required for the information sessions.

To pre-register and provide a statement electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically must pre-register by the date and time indicated above by visiting www.webex.com, where they should click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the appropriate event number listed above, and provide all requested information.

When logging in on the date and time of the hearing, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.

To pre-register and provide a statement by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement must pre-register by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last names, address, and phone number. On the day and time of the hearing, all call-in participants should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the appropriate access code listed above to join the hearing.

To listen to the hearings: Any person who would like to listen to the hearings without making a statement may access the hearings without preregistering. The hearings will be livestreamed on the internet and available for viewing on the Department’s YouTube channel on the date and times listed above. To access the YouTube channel, visit the Department’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, and click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of the homepage.

In addition, any person without internet access may listen to the hearings by phone by calling (518) 549-0500 and entering the applicable access code listed above. Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department’s Human Resources Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at (800) 342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.

Other Ways to Comment:

For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at the public statement hearings, there are several other ways to provide your comments. Comments should refer to “Case 22-M-0313.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by April 3, 2023.

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter “22-M-0313” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on the “Post Comments” box located at the top of the page. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department’s website by searching, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: You may call the Public Service Commission’s Opinion Line at (800) 335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

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