Attention Town of Ausable Residents: Your Voice Matters in New York’s Broadband Study!

Dear Residents of the Town of Ausable,

I hope this message finds you well. Today, I’m reaching out to share an important opportunity for our community to shape the future of broadband internet access across New York State. The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently preparing its 2025 Broadband Study and Map, as required by the Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act of 2021, and they want to hear from YOU!

Why This Matters to Ausable

Reliable, affordable, and fast internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s for remote work, online education, telemedicine, or staying connected with loved ones, broadband access impacts us all. The PSC’s annual study aims to identify gaps in availability, reliability, and cost, ensuring that every New Yorker, including those of us here in Ausable, has access to the internet services we need.

How You Can Help

The PSC is inviting public comments on topics like:

• Areas without adequate broadband: Are there spots in Ausable where internet speeds don’t reach at least 25 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload? What barriers (cost, infrastructure, etc.) are holding us back?
• Limited speed zones: Do you have internet faster than 25 Mbps but slower than 100 Mbps? Let them know!
• Single-provider areas: Is there only one internet service provider available to you? This could limit competition and affordability.
• Cost concerns: Is broadband too expensive for you or your neighbors? Share your story about how pricing affects access.

Your personal experiences are critical to painting an accurate picture of broadband in our town. The PSC wants to hear about the real-world challenges we face here in Ausable.

Join the Virtual Public Hearings

To make your voice heard, the PSC is hosting two virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

• 1:00 p.m. Session: Join via www.meetny-gov.webex.com (Event Number: 28319296740, Password: Mar26-1pm) or call 1-929-251-9612 (Access Code: 28319296740, Password: 62726017).
• 6:00 p.m. Session: Join via www.meetny-gov.webex.com (Event Number: 28201868250, Password: Mar26-6pm) or call 1-929-251-9612 (Access Code: 28201868250, Password: 62726067).

To speak at either hearing, you must pre-register by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025. Register online at https://dps.ny.gov/calendar (look for “Public Statement Hearing for Broadband Study and Mapping”) or call 1-800-342-3330 if you’ll join by phone. Can’t speak? You can still listen in using the phone numbers and access codes above.

Other Ways to Share Your Feedback

If you can’t attend the hearings, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to submit your comments by April 11, 2025:

• Online: Visit www.dps.ny.gov, click “File Search,” enter “22-M-0313,” and hit “Post Comments.”
• Mail: Send written comments to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, NYS Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350 (electronic filing is preferred).
• Toll-Free Line: Call 1-800-335-2120 anytime to leave a message (summarized, not transcribed).

You can also contribute data by taking a broadband speed test and survey at https://mapmybroadband.dps.ny.gov. No internet? Call 1-855-NYBBMAP (1-855-692-2627) for a paper survey.

Let’s Work Together

I encourage every resident of Ausable to take a few minutes to share your experiences. Whether you’re frustrated by slow speeds, limited options, or high costs, your input can drive change. Together, we can ensure our town’s needs are reflected in the 2025 Broadband Study and Map.

For more details, visit www.dps.ny.gov (Case 22-M-0313) or https://mapmybroadband.dps.ny.gov. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me or contact the PSC directly.

Let’s make sure Ausable is heard loud and clear!

Warm regards,
-Tim