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ConnectNYC Fiber Challenge
New York City is challenging small and medium-sized businesses to make the case for high-speed broadband at their location. Winning applicants will receive free fiber build-out to their business.
About
Small and medium-sized commercial and industrial businesses across the five boroughs are invited to compete for free fiber wiring.
Contestants demonstrating the highest potential impact of fiber connectivity – on their own business, nearby businesses, and underserved areas – will become finalists. Finalists will have a chance to win a free build-out of fiber internet connectivity to their place of business, an overall value of up to $7M for all winning businesses.
To enter, all contestants must obtain a signed landlord agreement providing ISPs with access to the building if they win. If selected a winner, contestants will be required to sign a one-year service contract with a participating ISP at negotiated market rates before they are eligible to receive a free fiber build-out.
Important Dates
Submission Period: Friday, October 19, 2012 – Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Judging: Friday, December 28, 2012 – Monday, February 18, 2013
Winners Announced: Friday, May 31, 2013
Judging Criteria for Prizes:
Potential Impact of Fiber on Contestant’s Business (weighted at 30%)
- Includes factors such as the Contestant’s business activities and job functions at the Location, the number of employees impacted, and the potential for increased productivity and employment at the Location.
Potential to Improve Broadband Infrastructure in Underserved Areas (weighted at 40%)
- Includes whether the applicant is in an underserved area or building with limited or non-existent broadband infrastructure.
Potential for Industry Clustering (weighted at 30%)
- Includes factors such as proximity to other Contestant Locations and the potential for scale economies in wiring a Contestant’s building with fiber, and the potential to catalyze new industry clusters by wiring the business and nearby businesses.
NOTE: These judging criteria will be used to determine finalists. Participating ISPs will determine potential winners from a finalist list based on the feasibility of wiring the finalists location.