The "digital divide" — economic or social inequality in regards to technology — is a stubborn challenge in today's smartest cities. Offering all citizens affordable access to broadband and other common connective infrastructure is not a simple feat, and will often create hostility between governments and their constituents.

CityBridge, a group of tech and connectivity companies including Intersection, Qualcomm and CIVIQ Smartscapes, is working to bridge this digital divide in the nation's largest city with an advanced, scalable and aesthetically appealing Wi-Fi kiosk network: LinkNYC. 

Key Features

Free Wi-Fi

Every Link is equipped with free, gigabit Wi-Fi, allowing access to high-speed services - about 100 times faster than basic public Wi-Fi.

Directions

A touch screen tablet allows users to access city services and maps, and provides step-by-step directions to destinations or cross streets.

Free Calls

The touch screen tablet is equipped with a microphone, tactile keypad and Vonage app, allowing users to make free calls anywhere in the U.S.

Emergency Calls

A red button below the tablet allows users to instantly connect with 911 in the case of an emergency.

USB Ports

Two USB ports, connected directly to power sources, allow users to charge devices without the risk of data exchange with the kiosk.

Ad Space

Each Link has two 55" high-def digital screens, allowing for public service announcement and advertising opportunities.

The functionalities of the nearly 10-foot-tall kiosks are both simple by design and user-friendly — making the Links inclusive for city dwellers from all demographics. The free services include high speed Wi-Fi, phone calls to anywhere in the nation, device charging via USB ports, a touch screen tablet for access to maps and directions, and a large 911 emergency call button. 

As of late 2017, CityBridge rolled out more than 1,200 Links citywide with the goal of installing more than 7,500 Links across the five boroughs in the next several years. And while the original purpose of the new infrastructure was to replace pay phones, the opportunities that Links have provided since their citywide roll out in 2016 have been tenfold. The project has created a wealth of new jobs, has generated millions of dollars in revenue for New York through the advertising platform, and has actually helped to bridge that digital divide and give broadband access to folks who can't afford it otherwise. 

Some have reported that retail business near Link kiosks has been booming. Others tout the new capability for Links to show historic photos of the city from the Department of Records and Information Services' digital archives. And while some concerns have been floated about data privacy, CityBridge this year updated its privacy policy to ensure data is collected transparently and treated securely. 

Due to the success of LinkNYC, a wider deployment of the kiosks are on the horizon. InLinkUK, also of the parent company Intersection, launched in June, while Philadelphia is expecting to see its own LinkPHL deployment in 2018. Intersection is even talking about retrofitting bus kiosks in Seattle with the technology. Just as pay phones were a staple of the 1990s, Links are on the path to becoming a city staple of the digital era.