Philadelphia Broadband Leader Shares Progress

Juliet Fink Yates says city is slowly meeting its broadband goals.

Philadelphia Broadband Leader Shares Progress
Photo of the Philadelphia skyline, used with permission

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 – Broadband Infrastructure and Digital Inclusion Manager for the City of Philadelphia, Juliet Fink Yates, discussed her role in building Philadelphia’s future broadband goals.

Fiber Broadband Association’s weekly Wednesday show, Fiber for Breakfast, met with Yates. With over 15 years of experience working in digital literacy and community technology, she expressed the need for the city of Philadelphia to be truly connected through fiber. 

One of her initiatives is Philly Free Wi-Fi, a two-year plan with Verizon to get 180 parks and rec sites with high-speed internet. 

“We are moving along really quickly,” Yates said, “the fiber has been installed, the Wi-Fi is working. You can go and get that Wi-Fi on your phone if you need it.” 

Yates shared her excitement for the work that is being done for the Philly Free Wi-Fi and the tools that already exist for low-income families to use today. Philly Free Wi-Fi has locators: maps that show the active hot spots in the area where the Wi-Fi will be strongest.

Philly Free Wi-Fi follows the PHL ConnectED initiative, which connected free subsidized internet connections through Internet Essentials and hotspots through T-Mobile during the pandemic. 

While the PHL ConnecteED initiative gave people free wi-fi, Yates recounted that its biggest hurdle was getting into people’s homes.

“Even after residents received a code to sign up, many struggled to take the next step,” said Yates. “They needed hands-on help to get connected.”

This gap led the city to expand its digital navigator program, offering one-on-one support to guide residents through setup and troubleshoot barriers to access the Wi-Fi.

Last year, Yates made similar comments about the need for Philadelphia to have reliable broadband in a Broadband Breakfast Live Online event

“Philadelphia has the infrastructure, we are going to look like we are served,” Yates said, “and yet 14.7 percent of Philadelphia households still have no internet subscription in the home.”

Yates continued the same thought in her message on Wednesday, and added on the struggle that “about 25 percent  don't have a laptop or desktop at home.” 

To illustrate the need for both a reliable internet connection and the proper devices, Yates explained that her team is finding that the need for computers is linked to getting employed, doing well in school, and stepping out of the dependence on a single smartphone.

“Sometimes a smartphone is their only lifeline to any sort of services,” Yates said. The scope of reliable internet and proper devices is beginning to be solved by Yates and her team.

Yates hoped for lower internet prices with the new BEAD deal, and said,  “Just because you build the system doesn't mean it's easy for folks to connect or afford to connect.”

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