New York State’s ConnectALL Office (CAO) has announced two programs relating to digital infrastructure development in New York: the Connectivity Innovation Program’s Mobile Service Request for Applications and an additional application window for its Deployment Program.
CAO released the CAO Connectivity Innovation – Mobile Service Request for Applications (MSRFA).1 Through the MSRFA, CAO will provide up to $5 million in total funding to deploy innovative, scalable solutions to address wireless cellular coverage gaps. CAO anticipates awarding approximately three grant awards of $1-2 million each.2 Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 17, 2025, and must be submitted through the New York Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) Portal.3
Grants awarded through the MSRFA will provide eligible applicants funds to develop, test, deploy and document new technologies to provide solutions for areas unserved or underserved by mobile cellular coverage.4 The program is funded by the New York State Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Eligible applicants include government, tribal and private entities, including internet service providers, mobile network operators, system integrators, equipment manufacturers, and businesses with an innovative use case for connectivity.5
Program funds may be used for a variety of purposes, including securing permits, technical plans and environmental studies, construction, software, and project management. Program funds may not be used for expenses incurred prior to submission of an application, expenses funded by another award, indirect or overhead costs or any activities conducted outside of the State of New York.6 Grant payments will be disbursed as reimbursement to grantees following the completion and approval of milestones, submission of invoices and proof of payment.7 Grants will be subject to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation goals. Typically, there is a 30% target for MWBE participation, but the target may be adjusted based on the applicant, scope of work, and whether such work will be contracted or self-performed by the applicant.8
Some of the notable project requirements are described herein. If an applicant requests a waiver for a project requirement based on hardship, it must provide a written justification explaining the reasons for the hardship and purported inability to comply with the requirement. Minimum requirements include that the projects must demonstrate new and emerging technologies or use existing technology in novel, innovative ways and provide an open environment that can bring connectivity to multiple mobile network service providers and/or other future wireless uses. All project work must be completed within 36 months of the award’s issuance, including at least 12 months of equipment operability and testing.9 Projects that include public ownership of the project or a public-private partnership, minimal ongoing operating costs or the ability to generate revenue in balance with operating costs, and having letters of support from meaningful stakeholders will be preferred.10
As part of the CAO Deployment Program, with funding through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, CAO has issued a Priority, Reliable and Alternative Technology Solutions Request for Applications (RFA). CAO has allocated approximately $644 million of its BEAD funding to make grants for broadband deployment through this program. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 5, 2025. The deadline for email submission of government letters of support, an optional part of the application, is on May 19, 2025.11
An eligible applicant may be an individual organization or a consortium of multiple organizations with a single lead entity that can accept all responsibility and risk for a grant if awarded. Lead applicants can be a corporation, local unity of government, regional planning board, local development corporation, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation or a new entity created by collaborators.12 Eligible uses include construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and telecommunications equipment to provide broadband service, long-term leases of facilities required to provide broadband service, deployment of internet infrastructure in eligible multifamily residential buildings, engineering, and permitting, among other costs.13
CAO has published project areas that group locations eligible for program funding. Applicants may submit an application for funding in one or more of CAO’s project areas. CAO will prioritize projects in the following order:
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology does not qualify under any of the three categories. CAO will only consider project proposals where the average cost per location is no more than $30,000.14
Applicants must submit a network design for each technology type included in its project area application. There are separate requirements for the network design of a network using LEO technology. Applicants must report their best offers for unbundled broadband products at the price points of $100 or less, $75 or less, and $50 or less.15
Applicants must commit to not imposing data caps on plans offered or imposing unjust or unreasonable network management practices, as well as providing a low-cost service option and access to broadband service to each customer at an eligible location on reasonable, non-discriminatory terms.16
Additional Assistance
For further assistance, please contact a member of our Telecommunications Practice Team or the Phillips Lytle attorney with whom you have a relationship.
1 The MSRFA is available on the CAO website on the program page: https://broadband.ny.gov/connectall-connectivity-innovation-mobile-service-request-applications.
2 See Governor Hochul Announces $5 Million Initiative to Identify Innovative Solutions for Wireless Mobile Coverage in New York State (Apr. 11, 2025), https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-5-million-initiative-identify-innovative-solutions-wireless-mobile.
3 Id. A webinar will be held in the next few weeks. You can email wireless@esd.ny.gov to receive an email alert about webinar registration or to submit questions regarding the MSRFA.
4 ConnectALL, ConnectALL – Connectivity Innovation – Mobile Service Request for Applications (“MSRFA”), 4 (issued April 11, 2025), https://broadband.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/04/connectall-connectivity-innovation-mobile-service-rfa-4_11_25.pdf.
5 Id. at 5.
6 Id. at 4-5.
7 Id.
8 Id.
9 Id. at 6.
10 Id. at 7.
11 See ConnectALL Deployment Program Request for Applications, https://broadband.ny.gov/connectall-deployment-program-request-applications-0 (last visited April 16, 2025).
12 ConnectALL, ConnectALL Deployment Program: Priority, Reliable, and Alternative Technology Solutions Request for Applications, 11 (issued April 15, 2025).
13 Id. at 12.
14 Id. at 13-14.
15 Id. at 16-18.
16 Id.
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