NYC’s first senior advisor for broadband has some Philly ties

In 2015, the City of New York got its first-ever senior advisor for broadband in Josh Breitbart, who came aboard to help Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration spread the benefits of tech more equitably.

But wind back the clock ten years and a younger Breitbart had just moved to Philly, where he wrote up a case study for an initiative called Wireless Philadelphia, which sought to offer citywide WiFi access.

Although Philly’s municipal broadband effort didn’t pan out and by 2007 he was back in New York, it led to Breitbart diving deeper into the issue of internet access for all. In his current gig, the goal is to expand low-cost internet access in hopes of creating better-paying jobs and access to the tech industry.

“We want to make sure the industry is part of the fabric of Brooklyn, versus just existing in Brooklyn,” Breitbart said.

Breitbart was also recently in town during this panel with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on the topic of digital inclusion.

Technical.ly Brooklyn contributor April Joyner has the scoop: