The initiative spurred on by Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher for the Ulster County Citizens’ Commission for Digital Inclusion, to present a “bulk challenge” to the current lack of service for high-speed internet in the county, has reaped its first success.

The first challenge was to have people identify where there was a lack of service. The Commission found 435 challenges for “lack of service,” and 165 for “missing location.”

Thirteen of Ulster County’s 20 towns have areas that still lack access to cable broadband. This is despite serious efforts by New York State to force Charter Spectrum to fulfill its promise to connect rural New York.

The data gathered will be used to prepare a map of cable “fiber broadband” in the county. The Commission has also consulted with town supervisors and provided one-on-one support for 32 individual FCC broadband challenges.

The recent article in the Shawangunk Journal motivated at least eight citizens to contact the Commission, and others learned of it through social media or word of mouth.

The Commission is now established; Jenny Lee, of Denning, has been chosen as its chair. Lee is a sculptor and a professor at Pratt Institute in New York City. A press release from the comptroller’s office said, “Jenny Lee’s previous experience spearheading the identification of broadband gaps in Denning, and her keen research and technical skills make her a tremendous asset in seeking full last-mile build out for Ulster County. Working with Ulster County’s Geographic Information System team, the Commission was able to ensure that federal maps identify our local needs.”

Lee said, “Ulster County, especially our rural communities, has been overlooked by internet providers. In addition to a lack of broadband access, a common theme that emerged during our challenge support process was consumers’ frustration in negotiating with broadband providers that predominantly operate as monopolies. Consumers are disadvantaged when there is no competition, as companies can raise prices and reduce services without consequence.”

Newly sworn in County Executive Jen Metzger commented, “I want to commend the Citizens Commission for Digital Inclusion and County Comptroller March Gallagher for their important work to identify gaps in broadband service across our county, and correct flaws in federal broadband mapping. High-speed internet service is not a luxury in today's world — it is essential to accessing educational and job opportunities, healthcare, and other vital needs — and my administration is committed to working with the county comptroller's Citizens Commission to expand connectivity and close the gaps. I want to congratulate Denning resident and broadband champion Jenny Lee on her much-deserved election as chair of the Commission, and thank her for her tremendous contributions to the Commission's work to date."

The Digital Commission is going to continue to advocate for last-mile service at every location in Ulster County. Later in 2023 it will be gathering information on cellular and land line issues.

The comptroller addressed some questions regarding what comes next. “We still don't know how broadband money will be distributed. Will the State have one big contract? Will the funds go through the counties? We are awaiting guidance.”

As for what can people do who are still unconnected, the comptroller said, “People should check the county map to make sure we have them correct. In many cases, we received individual challenges where people advocated for their entire road, cul de sac, neighborhood, etc., so we were able to capture more addresses based on that as well.”

The map can be accessed here: bit.ly/3wgwBav.

For more information people should check the FCC's Broadband Data Collection site, which includes data on the National Broadband Map and the BDC, including various resources for consumers, governmental entities, broadband providers, and other stakeholders. The BDC Online Help Center includes help articles, video tutorials, frequently asked questions, and other materials on how to use the National Broadband Map, how to file challenges, and how to submit availability data in the BDC system. It also includes a help form where users can submit a request for additional support.

And for the direct approach, the unconnected can write to: Federal Communications Commission c/o Broadband Data Collection, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. They can also call 877-232-7055.