Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the City of Newark was recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) as a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, honoring the City’s continuing efforts to close the digital divide. Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to, as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems.
The award honors how Newark joined Newark Housing Authority (NHA), Newark Fiber, and internet service provider Andrena in a partnership with local telecom companies, including Black-owned and Newark-based Teknogrid, which trained and hired city residents for cable installation. Compared to an average rate of $75 a month, Andrena offered residents connectivity starting at $15 a month, saving them as much as $700 a year.
“This year, one major advance in our commitment to bringing internet to every Newark resident was the result of a public/private/workforce development collaboration. By aligning our efforts, we not only continued bridging the digital divide, but also the wealth gap – by training workers to enter the internet installation industry,” said Mayor Baraka. “This partnership created affordable high-speed Internet connectivity to more than 1,600 units in 14 Newark Housing Authority buildings, with newly hired local residents installing internet service that in turn helps others seek their own employment online. So many boxes were checked with this one initiative. But foremost, it stands as a strong testament to our multipronged approach to ensuring every resident has access to free, or very low-cost, high-speed internet.”
“Newark is proud to be recognized as a leader in digital equity and inclusion,” shared Aaron Meyerson, Chief Innovation Economy Officer and Director of Broadband at Invest Newark. “The City and its partners at Invest Newark, Newark Alliance, and many others continue to develop programs and projects that meet residents where they are – ensuring they have the connectivity, devices and knowledge to engage and thrive in today’s fast-moving economy. From affordable internet at Newark Housing Authority to device refurbishment training courses to free internet and devices for residents without addresses at Hope Village, Newark is working tirelessly to get people connected.”
“In the past decade, we’ve seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents.”
Since the first building installation in 2023, more than 1,600 units have access to Andrena’s new service. The service allows residents to connect to the web for research, shopping, video calls, streaming services, online banking and more. Residents also have access to free Wi-Fi in common areas within and around the public housing buildings.
Connected affordable housing developments are located across Newark’s five wards: 963 and 991 Frelinghuysen Avenue; 100 and 122 Ludlow Street; 801, 789, and 815 North 6th Street; 880, 900, and 920 Franklin Avenue; 31 and 35 Van Vechten Street; 516 Bergen Street; 214 South Street; and Pennington Court.
Newark has a digital divide caused by the lack of access and adoption of broadband. According to 2022 U.S. Census numbers, nearly one in five Newark households do not have an internet subscription at home. Additionally, nine percent of Newark families lack a computer. Collaborating with partners, the city aims to provide sustainable, high-speed options to residents.
NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers has set the national standard for excellent digital inclusion work since 2016. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments with ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.
As the only designated municipality in the state of New Jersey, Newark is closing the digital divide in a number of ways. From expanding its municipally-run Newark Fiber network, to bringing in new internet service providers, finding ways to donate and refurbish City equipment, train the next generation of technicians, and ensure digital literacy courses are available for all. Combined, the City moving the needle to ensure Newarkers have the connectivity and skills needed to thrive.
About National Digital Inclusion Alliance
NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,500 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.
About Newark Fiber
Newark Fiber is a public-private partnership that offers Gigabit internet connections to over 70 buildings including city and commercial buildings, in addition to parks and commercial corridors. Newark Fiber continues to accept applications for properties that are interested in offering connectivity as a service. Property owners and users that interested in adopting Newark Fiber can submit an inquiry to https://investnewark.org/newark-fiber/
About Andrena
Andrena is a premier wireless Internet Service Provider for Residential MDUs. They work with building owners, developers, and property managers to deliver next-generation wireless internet to residents and for property operations. By working with a diverse group of leading real estate partners, they currently reach more than 30,000 households across the mid-Atlantic region, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. Notable partnerships include Invest Newark, Newark Housing Authority, New York City Housing Authority, and Jersey City Housing Authority. To learn more about real estate partnerships or to see if Andrena high-speed internet is available to you, visit https://andrena.com/.
