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NY at risk of losing federal broadband funding

Posted at 9:13 AM, May 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-12 10:50:26-04

Sen. Charles Schumer says more than $170 million in federal funding earmarked for New York to increase broadband access may be given to other states.

The Federal Communications Commission awarded New York a total of $49 million annually for six years as part of a national broadband access plan.

But Verizon didn't accept its share of $28 million annually. Schumer says the FCC now wants to let other states take that money.

Schumer is proposing a partnership between the FCC and New York to keep the money in-state. He said other providers are interested by the prospect of more funding.

The FCC's plan is to expand high-speed broadband access.

A message left with the FCC was not initially returned Wednesday.