ABOUT PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Learn Our Story
OUR STORY
HOW PEOPLE’S CHOICE STARTED
People’s Choice Communications is an employee-owned social enterprise launched by members of IBEW Local #3 to bridge the digital divide and help our neighbors get connected to the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are the workers who built a large part of New York City’s Internet infrastructure in the first place. We built out Spectrum’s cable system, until in 2017, the company pushed us out on strike by taking away our healthcare, retirement, and other benefits. It’s now the longest strike in US history.
At a certain point, we realized that we weren’t the only ones who had a problem with Spectrum. Most New Yorkers are unhappy with the high prices and low-quality service of their Internet Service Provider. And those are the people who have service. According to the Comptroller’s Office, over 1.5 million New Yorkers don’t have high-speed broadband at home because they can’t afford it. This “digital divide” was a problem before the pandemic, during COVID-19 lack of Internet access became a matter of survival. We decided to see what we could do to help. In Summer 2020, we launched People’s Choice Communications. We’re an ISP, but we’re a little different than the other ISPs.
People’s Choice is worker-owned. The Spectrum strikers own the company and we run it democratically.
Our networks are community-owned. After we build out a network in your building, profits are returned to users through Digital Stewardship, education, and training. We are able to provide high-speed service in most cases for free with the FCC Affordable Connectivity Benefit. No more cable company ripping you off, and as a member, you will have a vote in policies like data privacy.
Check out our work and if you’re interested, get in touch about bringing People’s Choice to your building!
WHAT WE STAND FOR
OUR CORE VALUES
Community Empowerment
We connect and empower our communities through accessible and affordable Internet services, bridging the digital divide.
Determination & Commitment
We are determined and commited to providing high-speed broadband access to the 1.5 million New Yorkers without Internet
Community Ownership
As a 100% community-owned Internet service provider, our focus is on reinvesting profits, ensuring that the benefits of connectivity remain within our community.
Internet as a Right
We firmly believe that Internet access is a necessity and a right, and we are committed to connecting those who cannot afford service from corporate ISPs.
Sign the Petition to Save Affordable Internet
Preserving Access and Bridging the Digital Divide for All
