connectnyc-fiber-challenge

Image source: NYC EDC

The New York City Economic Development Corporation has recently announced a competition to help NYC-based businesses – small and medium-sized commercial and industrial businesses with 100 employees or less – get fiber optics installed at their business for free. It’s called Connect!NYC Fiber ChallengeThe city has also partnered with ISPs like Time Warner and Optimum Online (the internet element of Cablevision) to make it happen.

To participate, you’ll need to create an account on the ChallengePost website, fill out the fields on the submission form, accept the official rules of the competition, and submit your application, including a pdf of the landlord agreement (you need this in order to grant building access to the people who will install the fiber optics).

More about the prize:

Winning contestants will receive a free fiber build-out to their location of business, identified as one of the biggest hurdles to getting businesses connected to broadband internet. The average cost of a build-out is approximately $50,000 per business and varies depending on the business’ location.

$12 million is available for two years, so a little math says that 240 businesses could benefit, though “the number of awards will be determined by the aggregate estimated cost of the highest scoring submissions up to the award amount for each category.” The categories include Cablevision Award, Cablevision IBZ Award, Time Warner Cable Business Class Award, and Time Warner Cable Business Class IBZ Award. Over 100 businesses could be wired in the first year.

Another detail is, “Contestants demonstrating the highest potential impact of fiber connectivity – on their own business, nearby businesses, and underserved areas – will become finalists.” We agree with TechCrunch when they say, “tech startups seem to have an edge” since connectivity is especially crucial.

This is another element in the pursuit to make NYC a serious center for tech. Bringing fiber optics to these businesses is “investing in the city’s future as a leader in connectivity and technology.”

The last day to enter the competition is Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

NYC Invests $12M To Provide Free Fiber Build-Out To 240 Startups [TechCrunch]
The ConnectNYC Fiber Challenge [Business Insider]
ConnectNYC Fiber Challenge [NYC EDC]
ConnectNYC Fiber Challenge [competition website]


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