Op-Ed | LinkNYC is vital tech infrastructure for small businesses in the Bronx

A Link5G kiosk is seen in New York City.

Photo courtesy LinkNYC

In the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became especially clear to Bronxites how dependable broadband access is key to economic development in our borough. Small business owners, more than ever, rely on high-speed mobile and in-home internet services to level the playing field and become competitive in and outside their neighborhoods, especially as their cooperation with services like Grubhub, Getir, DoorDash, and others become more essential to their survival.

But the harsh reality is not all of our neighbors have the same access to a reliable broadband connection. This issue is especially prevalent in the Bronx, where almost 40% of households lack broadband access and one in five teens can’t finish their homework because of the digital divide in their community.

The only way to address the problem head on is to increase access to affordable, high-speed internet so our students can study, our community members can connect with new employers, and our small businesses can thrive — in other words, it means leveraging the most innovative technology available to create opportunities for our schools, business owners and residents.

As someone who spends most of my time speaking with small businesses, I can tell you that too many neighborhoods in my borough have lacked the ability to get online affordably for far too long. But now, thanks to LinkNYC and its Link5G smart poles, we’re seeing the paradigm shift.

Here in the Bronx, LinkNYC offers everyone free high-speed Wi-Fi, free nationwide calling, touch screen tablets with local information and access to social services, and a robust free advertising program for small businesses. Even better, LinkNYC’s new Link5G smart poles — the first of which was deployed in Morris Heights — provide the same free services we know and love, all while enhancing Bronxites’ ability to take advantage of 5G cell phone service….