NEW YORK — New York City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications has released a request for proposals for firms to expand wireless connectivity across the five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
The awardees will become franchisees of the city and will have the right to install technology on city-owned light and utility poles in order to provide wireless coverage and to better serve people living and working in the city, according to rcrwireless.com.
The RFP also covers installations for street furniture around the city. Under the provisions of this RFP, LinkNYC kiosks may become eligible sites for mobile telecom franchisees to place their wireless installations, according to the same article. The more than 1,600 active LinkNYC kiosks deliver free Wi-Fi across the five boroughs (previously covered in Radio magazine today).
DoITT is encouraging RFP responders to propose ideas for neutral host installations, which will allow multiple providers to offer service on the same pole, thus providing more business opportunities and options for users.
