Starry Inc. is partnering with the City of Boston’s Boston Housing Authority (BHA) to launch a pilot program aimed at providing free and low-cost internet access to housing authority residents. The program, called Starry Connect, is being piloted at BHA’s Ausonia Apartments and provides free, common area Wi-Fi internet access to building residents. Ausonia residents can access the internet in the building’s community rooms and hallways.
Starry is also donating five computers for a designated computer lab for Ausonia residents. Located in Boston’s North End, Ausonia is a 100-unit, seven-story housing complex designed to serve seniors and disabled individuals.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 24 million Americans still lack access to a high speed internet broadband connection. Among lower-income Americans, nearly half do not have a broadband connection at home.
Starry is helping address the digital gap with Starry Connect, a program aimed at providing a variety of free and low-cost internet access solutions for public and affordable housing communities. From building common area Wi-Fi access to monthly, low-cost access plans, Starry Connect will offer simple, easy-to-understand and use plans for residents in public or subsidized affordable housing through partnerships with cities, states and owners of affordable housing properties.
“Access to high speed broadband is critical for education, communication and personal and professional development and yet, today many people still lack access to a basic, affordable, and reliable internet connection. We can’t sit on the sidelines and hope things get better. That’s why we’re launching Starry Connect. When we founded Starry, our mission was to build a better internet service and create a better customer experience for everyone. Closing the digital gap and the inequities that emerge as a result is something technology can help solve. That’s why we’re excited to partner with the Boston Housing Authority to devise creative solutions to help get more of their residents online and engaged with the critical services they need.” — Starry CEO and co-founder, Chet Kanojia
“We thank Starry for providing this valuable service to our elderly and disabled residents. Starry’s commitment to digital equity is commendable, and we look forward to continuing our partnership going forward.” — BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle
“The innovative partnership between the Boston Housing Authority and Starry Internet is an important step in advancing Mayor Walsh’s digital equity agenda and expands access to high quality broadband service citywide. Providing a computer lab and public Wi-Fi is a great step in developing resources that Boston residents can utilize to fulfill their long-term pursuits in life.” — Patricia Boyle-McKenna, Interim Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston.