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Broadband To Debut In Albany's Hilltowns

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Dave Lucas
Published April 16, 2020 at 2:53 PM EDT
WAMC photo by Dave Lucas

Albany County’s Hilltowns are finally getting high-speed internet this weekend. 

County Executive Dan McCoy announced a partnership with an Albany-based provider using previously erected towers that expanded 9-1-1 service. Hudson Valley Wireless Genral Manager Jason Guzzo: "The network uses a combination of fibre optic and high-capacity microwaves to connect the towers."

McCoy says the hilltowns previously accessed the internet via dial-up. The partnership will give some 300 students access at no charge. "We're gonna work the cost out and make sure we pick that bill up so that they don't have to worry about it if they don't have the means to pay for it."

Other households eventually will be able to subscribe to the service. McCoy, a Democrat, has been working on getting broadband to the hilltowns since 2018.
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Capital Region News broadbandAlbany County Executive Dan McCoyhigh-speed internet
Dave Lucas
Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
See stories by Dave Lucas
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