https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/dygj7m/diy-internet-provider-sees-demand-spike-amid-coronavirus-pandemic

As millions of Americans hunker down to slow the spread of coronavirus, broadband access has become more important than ever. In hard-hit New York City, local volunteer efforts to shore up broadband affordability and availability gaps are seeing a huge surge in demand. Recent studies suggest some 44 million Americans lack access to any kind of broadband whatsoever, double previous FCC estimates. Millions more Americans can’t afford service courtesy of feckless regulators and limited competition, helping make American broadband some of the most expensive in the developed world. It’s not just a rural problem.

29 percent of New York City households lack a broadband connection. 46 percent of families living below the poverty line lack internet access, usually due to high costs. It’s a byproduct of the monopoly domination of just two providers—Verizon and Spectrum—who’ve failed repeatedly to live up to their broadband deployment promises to both the city and state.