New York City has spent the better part of a decade building out broadband access programs, public Wi-Fi infrastructure, and subsidized internet options — and the majority of residents who qualify for them have no idea they exist.

This is a full guide. Whether you're paying too much, looking for something affordable, or helping a parent or neighbor who can't afford standard ISP rates, here's what's actually available.

You've seen the tall gray kiosks on sidewalks throughout the city. Those are LinkNYC kiosks — and they provide free public Wi-Fi with no login, no time limits, and no fee.

As of 2026, there are over 2,000 LinkNYC kiosks installed across all five boroughs, with the highest density in Manhattan and increasing coverage in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

The Wi-Fi signal extends approximately 150 feet from each kiosk. In practice, this means you can often use it from inside a nearby ground-floor apartment, from a café, or while waiting at a bus stop.

You can find the nearest kink using the LinkNYC interactive map at linkcnyc.com.

Beyond Wi-Fi, each kiosk also offers:

The program is operated by InLinkNYC under a franchise agreement with the city. It costs taxpayers nothing — the kiosks are funded by advertising revenue.

NYC Connected (formerly NYC Internet Master Plan) is the city's own subsidized broadband program. It's specifically designed for NYCHA residents and low-income New Yorkers who don't qualify for federal programs.

Under NYC Connected, qualifying households can get internet service for as low as $15/month — negotiated directly between the city and providers including Verizon Fios and Optimum.

Who qualifies:

How to apply:
Go to nyc.gov/nycconnected or call 311 and ask for the NYC Connected program. Eligibility screening takes a few minutes. If you qualify, the city connects you with a participating provider.

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — which provided $30/month off internet bills for qualifying households — ended in June 2024 when Congress failed to renew funding.

If you were on ACP, that $30 subsidy is gone.

However, several NYC-specific programs have partially filled the gap:

Verizon Fios Forward: $30/month for qualifying households (income-based). Verizon has maintained this program post-ACP. Apply at verizon.com/fiforward.

Optimum Advantage Internet: $15/month for qualifying low-income households. Available in Optimum service areas (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, parts of the Bronx). Apply at optimum.com/advantage.

Spectrum Internet Assist: $20/month. Available to households receiving SSI, SNAP, or where a student is on the National School Lunch Program. Spectrum's coverage area includes parts of Manhattan and the Bronx.

Key rule for all three: You cannot stack them with each other, but if you're income-eligible, these are legitimate programs with real savings — not gimmicks. Apply directly on the provider's website; do not use third-party sites.

In 2023, New York City completed a major build-out of free broadband access in NYCHA developments through a $150 million investment. As of 2025, thousands of NYCHA apartments across all five boroughs have access to free or subsidized internet through building infrastructure.

If you or a family member lives in NYCHA housing, contact your building's management office directly and ask about building-level internet access. Coverage varies by development, and some newer installations are faster than others — but most NYCHA residents should not be paying full commercial rates.

GetHelpNYC: Provides tech support and device assistance for older adults and lower-income New Yorkers. This includes help understanding how to access internet programs, setting up devices, and navigating digital tools. Available citywide — call 311 or visit nyc.gov/gethelp.

NYC Schools: Free Home Internet for Students
Through a program funded during the pandemic and extended, students in NYC public schools may be eligible for free or subsidized home internet through their school. Ask your child's school about current availability — eligibility and enrollment vary by district.

CUNY Reconnect + Digital Programs: If you're enrolled at a CUNY college or returning as an adult learner, several digital equity resources are available on campus, including free hotspot lending and device lending programs. Ask at your campus library.

Manhattan: Best LinkNYC coverage in the city — kiosks from the tip of the Financial District through Washington Heights. Major broadband competition between Verizon Fios and Spectrum means pricing is more competitive here than outer boroughs.

Brooklyn: Strong LinkNYC presence in north Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, Flatbush). Optimum and Verizon are the primary home broadband providers. Fios availability varies by street — confirm at verizon.com before you sign a lease.

Queens: Mixed infrastructure. Western Queens (Astoria, LIC, Jackson Heights) has strong Fios and Optimum coverage. Eastern Queens is more dependent on Optimum cable. LinkNYC coverage is expanding but remains thinner east of Jamaica. NYC Connected and Optimum Advantage are the main affordable options.

Bronx: High eligibility for affordable programs — most of the borough qualifies for Optimum Advantage and Verizon Fios Forward based on income. NYCHA build-out is most extensive here. Spectrum Internet Assist is also available in parts of the borough.

Staten Island: The least connected borough by raw numbers — both in LinkNYC kiosk density and ISP competition. Optimum and Verizon are the primary providers. If you're on the North Shore (Staten Island Ferry side), coverage is generally better than the South Shore. NYC Connected is available; push through the application if you qualify.

Most New Yorkers don't know this exists, but 311 has a dedicated pathway for digital access and connectivity questions. Call 311 and say "internet access help" — they can connect you with the right program based on your address, income, and eligibility.

This is especially useful if:

If you're paying full commercial ISP rates and your household income is below $50,000 a year, there is almost certainly a program that applies to you.

Here's the checklist:

Standard residential internet in NYC runs $50–90/month for most households. These programs can cut that to $0–30. That's real money — and it's money the city and providers have already allocated. You just have to claim it.

The Metro Intel covers housing, money, and local intel for New Yorkers across all five boroughs.