STATEN ISLAND -- With the activation of two Link Wi-Fi kiosks in the New Dorp neighborhood of Staten Island, CityBridge and New York City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) announced today that LinkNYC is now live in all five boroughs. LinkNYC is the new, first-of-its-kind communications network replacing the city’s payphones to build the world’s fastest, largest free public Wi-Fi network.
Since Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the public launch of LinkNYC in February, nearly 600 Links have been installed across all five boroughs. Each Link provides New Yorkers with free, fast Wi-Fi, free domestic calling, two USB charging ports, and direct access to 911 and 311. More than 850,000 people have signed up to use the free Wi-Fi.
“We’re incredibly thrilled to bring LinkNYC to Staten Island. The free services that LinkNYC provides - superfast Wi-Fi, USB charging, City and emergency services, and phone calls – will now be available to Staten Island residents and visitors alike. With active Links now in all five boroughs, it will be exciting to see all New Yorkers taking advantage of this ambitious, first-of-its kind network as it continues to grow citywide,” said Anne Roest, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT).
“The fastest internet in New York City is on the streets, and it's completely free. We are so proud that Link is now live in all five boroughs. With millions of Wi-Fi sessions every week, residents and visitors are using the network every day to get online at superfast speeds, make free phone calls, charge personal devices, access City services, and more. The response from New Yorkers has been incredible, and we are working closely with the City to continue to grow the network throughout the five boroughs,” said Jen Hensley, General Manager of LinkNYC.
In November 2014, following a competitive bid process, the de Blasio Administration announced the selection of CityBridge – a consortium of companies that includes Intersection, Qualcomm, and CIVIQ Smartscapes – to develop and operate the first-of-its-kind LinkNYC network, bringing the world’s fastest public Wi-Fi to millions of New Yorkers and visitors. The five-borough network is funded entirely through advertising and will generate more than $500 million in revenue for the City.