June 5, 2023

Honorable Eric Adams

Mayor of New York City

Speaker Adrienne E. Adams

City Hall

Mayor Adams, Speaker Adams:

We, the undersigned, urge you to champion the deployment of Link5G citywide as a critical component of the modern
infrastructure that New York desperately needs to maintain economic opportunity and equity for all its residents and workers.

Central to LinkNYC’s mission is the equitable deployment of digital infrastructure. LinkNYC has already become the largest free
public Wi-Fi network in the world, providing high-speed internet access to more than 13 million people. The program also
offers free nationwide calling, USB charging, and access to health and human services. Link5G is the next phase of the LinkNYC
program, providing critical infrastructure investment to marginalized communities of color.

An internet connection is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for school, work, and keeping in touch with friends and family. Yet more
than three million New Yorkers—the majority of whom are residents of color and members of low-income communities—lack
access to home or mobile broadband or both. Link5G addresses this digital divide and will build a more equitable future for all.

We are dismayed that opponents of Link5G are prioritizing their own interests over those of the entire City, and are particularly
alarmed by certain privileged, wealthy communities pushing back against this essential service. Their requests all share the
same message: “not in my backyard.”

Demand for data and mobile device use has grown dramatically over the last two decades, and this trend is accelerating. We
don’t just expect to stay connected as we move through our day, often our jobs require it. This is just as true for the bike courier
as for the investment banker, and so access must be available and affordable for all New Yorkers. Continued investment in
wireless infrastructure–now entering its fifth generation (a.k.a. 5G)–is necessary to support this demand. Without 5G data
speed, availability, and reliability will collapse as demand outgrows the current (4G) network. Thousands upon thousands of 5G
cellular radios must be deployed along every street and avenue, including on rooftops and poletops. But only Link5G is
designed for this purpose, has a mandate for equitable deployment, and provides a digital safety net that is free for all.

Link5G is critical utility infrastructure. Cellular service and its digital safety net must be equitably available in all parts of the city
just as the entire city is open to all residents. We cannot let a few wealthy individuals push their agenda at a sacrifice to all. We
cannot create virtual “gated communities”–neighborhoods where only the privileged can stay connected. We must stand firm
on our commitment to building the right 5G infrastructure to support all New Yorkers.

We implore our City’s leaders to forge ahead with Link5G deployment. Do not allow the voices of a privileged few to outweigh
the needs of millions of New Yorkers, especially the underrepresented and underserved. We must lead the way to an
equitable digital economy. Link5G is critical to achieve that vision.

Rev. Conrad Tillard

Respectfully, Kathryn Wylde Black Clergy for Economic Empowerment
Edwin Lopez
President & CEO,
J. RueMel Parkin Executive Secretary
Dan Doctoroff Partnership for New York City
Executive Director & Chair National Electrical Contractors Association
helpNYC (New York City Chapter)
Julie Samuels Christopher Erikson
President & Executive Director Business Manager
Kenneth I. Chenault, Linda Baran
Tech:NYC Local Union No. 3 IBEW
Chairman & Managing Director General President & CEO
Catalyst Partners Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Byrne John Borthwick
VP, Global Head of Public Policy Founder & CEO
Fred Wilson Jessica Walker
Uber Technologies Betaworks
General Partner President & CEO
Union Square Ventures Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

Charles E. Phillips, Jr. Walter Puryear Lisa Sorin

Daniel Ramot
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Co-founder & CEO Director President
Recognize
Via Andrew Freedman Home Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Joshua Silverman Neil Blumenthal Michelle Gall Randy Peers

Chief Executive Officer Co-Founder & Co-CEO Founder & Executive Director President & CEO
Etsy, Inc. Warby Parker Digital Girl Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Kevin P. Ryan Richard Buery Chris Hanway Thomas J. Grech

Founder & CEO CEO Executive Director President & CEO
AlleyCorp Robin Hood Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement Queens Chamber of Commerce
 June 5, 2023
cc:
The New York City Council
The Bronx Borough President: Vanessa L. Gibson
Brooklyn Borough President: Antonio Reynoso
Manhattan Borough President: Mark D. Levine
Queens Borough President: Donovan Richards
Staten Island Borough President: Vito Fossella
Community Board District Managers
The Hon. Representative Jerry Nadler
NYC Office of Technology & Innovation
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams