From Starry, Inc.'s press release:
Starry, Inc., (the “Company” or “Starry”) a next generation licensed fixed wireless technology developer and internet service provider, today announced it has expanded its affordable, high-capacity internet service to the 164 households at Avalon Gardens, a Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) community in the Green Meadows neighborhood of Los Angeles. Avalon Gardens is the ninth HACLA community to be connected to Starry’s affordable, high-speed broadband service and the fifth community to be connected as part of Starry’s work with Microsoft’s Airband Initiative. In addition, Starry announced plans with Microsoft to refurbish the Avalon Gardens community computer lab with new WiFi access, new computers, printers and accessories for use by residents.
Starry first launched its partnership with HACLA in June 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide its Starry Connect service to the 601 households at Mar Vista Gardens in Los Angeles’ Del Rey neighborhood. In October 2020, Starry expanded on this effort with HACLA by collaborating with the Mayor’s Office of Budget and Innovation and Microsoft’s Airband Initiative to accelerate the availability of its low-cost, high-quality broadband service in four additional HACLA communities: Imperial Courts, Nickerson Gardens, Pueblo Del Rio and Jordan Downs. Reliable, affordable home broadband access has been critically important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to enable virtual learning, working from home and access to telehealth and social service resources. Through the collective efforts of Starry, HACLA, the Mayor’s Office, and Microsoft, more than 4,600 HACLA households now have access to an affordable broadband option through Starry.
“Access to a reliable internet connection is more essential today than ever for parents, students, job seekers, and folks looking to stay connected with their loved ones,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Through this program, Starry is providing the residents of Avalon Gardens with that connection and opening new doors of opportunity to employment, education, and more.”
“We believe every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality home broadband service and our goal with Starry Connect is to extend that access to communities we know are being underserved,” said Chet Kanojia, Starry co-Founder and CEO. “With committed partners like HACLA, the Mayor’s Office and Microsoft, we’re able to make affordable broadband access a reality for families who might otherwise go without. Having robust home internet access has never been more important and we’re proud to serve our HACLA families with a broadband service that is not just reliable, but delights. Thank you to our partner Microsoft for continuing to support our efforts to expand digital access and inclusion in public housing.”
“Here at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, we’re so happy to see our partnership with Starry going strong,” said HACLA President & CEO Doug Guthrie. “Many people are still working and learning from home, and it’s important that we make digital inclusion a priority. With Starry Connect now available at more than half of our public housing sites, we are well on our way to closing the digital inequity gap in our communities.”