NYC in Deal with Verizon on Micro-Trenching Pilot Program

New York City Chief Information and Innovation Officer Rahul N. Merchant, Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel, Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and Verizon Executive Director for National Operations Chris Levendos today announced the launch of an innovative pilot program to speed the deployment of fiber optic cabling to businesses and residences across the five boroughs while minimizing construction time, environmental impact and cost. Known as “micro-trenching,” this initiative demonstrates and tests the effectiveness of installing small conduits within the edges of City sidewalks to house fiber optic cabling, which can be used to deliver voice, Internet and cable television service. The excess capacity provided by micro-trenching will be available for use by other communications industry providers, as well as by City agencies, at no cost for the duration of the pilot. Based upon the results of the pilot – the first of its kind in any large city in the country – New York City may expand the use of micro-trenching citywide as a construction option available for communications industry providers. Micro-trenching is the latest initiative in the City's comprehensive effort to expand broadband connectivity and bolster its growing tech sector.