LinkNYC
LinkNYC operates 2,200+ free public Wi-Fi and 5G kiosks across New York City's five boroughs, serving residents and visitors with gigabit connectivity, free phone calls, and emergency services, funded entirely through digital out-of-home advertising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What LinkNYC does
LinkNYC operates a public communications network of 2,200+ kiosks across all five boroughs of New York City, providing free gigabit Wi-Fi, free domestic phone calls, device charging, touchscreen tablet access to maps and city services (including 911/311), and two 55-inch HD digital displays per kiosk. Launched in 2016 as the first initiative to replace NYC's public pay phones, the network has since served over 20 million unique users and powered more than 3.5 billion Wi-Fi sessions cumulatively. The second-generation Link5G kiosk, introduced in 2022, adds multi-tenant 5G cellular transmitters for carrier co-location and extends Wi-Fi range to 750 feet, with 90% of new deployments required in underserved boroughs and areas above 96th Street under a city-mandated equity clause.
The platform is operated by CityBridge LLC, a joint venture between Intersection (out-of-home media and advertising sales) and Boldyn Networks (wireless infrastructure), under an exclusive franchise agreement with the City of New York. The business model is entirely advertising-funded: revenue is generated through programmatic and direct sales of impressions on the kiosks' digital displays, plus self-serve SMB advertising via LinkLocal. Subsidy programs including LinkLocal (3,000+ small businesses and nonprofits), Gigabit Centers (digital literacy training in each borough), and live content events (FIFA World Cup streaming, NBA Finals broadcast) deepen engagement and civic legitimacy. The City of New York is the regulatory partner, not a paying customer; it receives a share of advertising revenue.
Backed by a $200M+ corporate investment from ZenFi Networks in 2021, LinkNYC has deployed over 3 million feet of high-capacity fiber optic network and integrated with city agencies (NYC Emergency Management, DSS, OTI) for real-time public safety communications. The network is expanding under a regulatory mandate that ties new deployments to broadband-adoption gaps, effectively locking in continued build-out of the underserved-area footprint.
LinkNYC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LinkNYC
- Legal name
- CityBridge LLC
- Website
- https://link.nyc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- LinkNYC operates 2,200+ free public Wi-Fi and 5G kiosks across New York City's five boroughs, serving residents and visitors with gigabit connectivity, free phone calls, and emergency services, funded entirely through digital out-of-home advertising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LinkNYC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Wi-Fi and Connectivity Services
- NAICS
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), All Other Telecommunications (5178)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carrier & Public Venue Wi‑Fi (Hotspot/Passpoint/NGH) (HDAFACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outdoor & Industrial/Rugged Wi‑Fi Access Points (HDAFACAB), Private LTE/5G Mobile Network Operators (Campus/Industrial) (HDAIAAAE)
Keywords
Where LinkNYC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LinkNYC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Digital Out-of-Home Advertising: LinkNYC is completely funded through advertising on its kiosks' 55-inch digital displays. The network provides brands with a context-aware platform to reach New Yorkers and visitors, generating millions of dollars in revenue for New York City. The advertising platform enables targeting using anonymous and aggregated information such as number of users connected at a specific Link at a specific time.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | — | Free Public Wi-Fi Access |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
LinkNYC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LinkNYC operates a network of more than 2,200 kiosks across New York City's five boroughs that provide free gigabit public Wi-Fi, free phone calls to anywhere in the U.S., USB device charging, and an Android tablet for accessing city services, maps, and directions. The entire network is funded through digital out-of-home advertising on the kiosks' two 55-inch HD displays. The second-generation Link5G kiosks add multi-tenant 5G cellular coverage and extended Wi-Fi range up to 750 feet.
Product overview
LinkNYC is a first-of-its-kind public communications network that has replaced pay phones across New York City's five boroughs with digital kiosks. The portfolio consists of two core kiosk generations: the original LinkNYC kiosks providing free Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging, and tablet access to city services; and Link5G, the second-generation offering that adds 5G cellular coverage and extended Wi-Fi range. The network is funded through digital out-of-home advertising on the kiosks' 55-inch displays. Supporting programs include LinkLocal (free advertising for small businesses) and #ArtOnLink (community art). The kiosks also host Gigabit Centers for digital literacy training across all five boroughs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Link5G: Second generation LinkNYC offering that improves digital connectivity with 5G cellular coverage and Wi-Fi connectivity across the five boroughs. Uses multi-tenant structures with transmitters for telecommunication service providers housed within kiosks.
- LinkLocal
- #ArtOnLink
Products and services
- LinkNYC Kiosk (Original) First-generation public Wi-Fi kiosk replacing pay phones across New York City's five boroughs. Provides free super-fast Wi-Fi, free phone calls to anywhere in the U.S., USB device charging, a tablet for city services/maps/directions, and a 911 emergency button. Features two 55-inch HD digital displays for public service announcements and advertising, and is ADA-compliant with accessibility features.
- Link5G Second-generation kiosk offering 5G cellular coverage and Wi-Fi connectivity across the five boroughs. Features multi-tenant structures housing transmitters for multiple telecommunication service providers, extending 5G options and enhancing coverage in underserved areas. Provides free Wi-Fi up to 750 feet from the kiosk and improved broadband options.
- LinkLocal Free and low-cost advertising program for NYC community organizations and small businesses. Provides templatized advertisements on LinkNYC screens across the five boroughs, including monthly promotional programs for qualifying organizations, in partnership with the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
- Gigabit Centers Community technology hubs located in each borough (including Silicon Harlem) that deliver technology training and digital literacy learning opportunities to help increase digital literacy and bridge the digital divide for NYC residents.
Quantifiable outcome
- Served over 20 million users and powered 3.5 billion Wi-Fi sessions since 2016
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use LinkNYC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LinkNYC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
LinkNYC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- TelemundominorPartnership to stream five FIFA World Cup matches and the Final on 200 LinkNYC kiosks across the five boroughs from June 19 to July 19, 2026. The initiative transforms public spaces into community gathering spots for the tournament.
- IntersectioncoreIntersection is an out-of-home media and technology company and one of the founding consortium members of CityBridge, the joint venture that owns and operates LinkNYC. Intersection handles advertising sales and technology components.
- Boldyn NetworkscoreBoldyn Networks is a wireless infrastructure provider and one of the founding consortium members of CityBridge. Boldyn provides connectivity infrastructure for LinkNYC's network of kiosks.
- CityBridgecoreCityBridge is the NYC-based consortium that owns, operates and oversees the LinkNYC program. It is a joint venture between Intersection and Boldyn Networks. CityBridge partnered with NYC in 2014 for the first-of-its-kind plan to create the largest and fastest free public Wi-Fi network in the world.
- City of New YorkcoreThe City of New York granted the franchise agreement to CityBridge to deploy LinkNYC. The city selects Community Districts for deployment based on lack of broadband adoption and provides regulatory oversight through OTI.
- Tech:NYCminorTech:NYC partnered with LinkNYC to commission HarrisX polls on digital equity, public Wi-Fi usage, and technology importance for NYC's future. The polls demonstrate growing public support for LinkNYC and Link5G.
- HarrisXminorLeading tech and telecom research firm conducted polls for LinkNYC and Tech:NYC on public Wi-Fi usage and support for Link5G. 55% of New Yorkers now use free public Wi-Fi monthly.
- Silicon HarlemminorSilicon Harlem hosts a Gigabit Center powered by LinkNYC, delivering technology training and learning opportunities to help increase digital literacy and bridge the digital divide in Manhattan.
- NYC Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI)coreOTI provides regulatory approval for each Link5G deployment and oversees the franchise agreement. OTI shares proposed sites with Borough Presidents, City Council Members, and Community Boards for the 60-day comment period.
- NYC Emergency ManagementcorePartnership to display real-time cooling center guidance on 2,200+ kiosks during extreme heat events. Kiosks show walking directions to the nearest NYC Cooling Centers within a 10-minute walk.
- NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)minorSBS partners with LinkNYC to help unlock economic potential for all New Yorkers by connecting small businesses to the LinkLocal advertising program, providing greater visibility and helping residents discover local shops and services.
- NBAminorNBA partnership to air Knicks Finals games on LinkNYC displays for fans without broadcast or streaming access, building on Mayor Mamdani's accessibility initiatives.
Scale indicators24 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LinkNYC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Intersection: Out-of-home media and technology company and a founding CityBridge consortium member; operates LinkNYC's advertising sales platform (LinkDirect, LinkLocal) and serves similar urban advertisers with DOOH and experiential media in cities across the U.S.
- Boldyn Networks: Wireless infrastructure provider and CityBridge consortium partner delivering connectivity backbone for LinkNYC; comparable as it deploys and operates shared neutral-host fiber, 5G, and small-cell networks for venues, transit, and cities globally.
- Boingo Wireless: Provider of public and managed Wi-Fi and small-cell cellular networks across airports, transit hubs, stadiums, and military bases; comparable as a wholesale Wi-Fi and 5G/DAS operator serving high-foot-traffic venues.
- ZenFi Networks: New York-based fiber and wireless infrastructure provider and LinkNYC's $200M+ strategic investor; comparable as a builder and operator of fiber, small-cell, and 5G networks across NYC, with similar customers among carriers and municipalities.
Broad incumbents
- JCDecaux: Global leader in street furniture and outdoor advertising, operating municipal advertising concessions (bus shelters, kiosks) similar to LinkNYC's franchise model in cities worldwide, but across a much broader portfolio of formats.
- OUTFRONT Media: Major U.S. out-of-home advertising company with a national footprint of transit, billboard, and digital displays; competes with LinkNYC for the same brand advertising budgets targeting urban audiences.
- Lamar Advertising: One of the largest U.S. outdoor advertising operators with extensive digital billboard and transit DOOH inventory; a broad incumbent peer competing for national advertiser spend that LinkNYC monetizes.
- Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi: Operates one of the largest public Wi-Fi hotspot networks in the U.S. via residential gateways; competes indirectly with LinkNYC by giving Xfinity subscribers free Wi-Fi access across metropolitan areas.
Emerging players
- CIVIQ Smartscapes: Provider of smart city kiosks and connected street infrastructure offering free public Wi-Fi, wayfinding, and emergency communications for municipalities; directly comparable in product but smaller in scale than LinkNYC.
- Soofa: Maker of solar-powered smart city benches and small-format digital displays that provide free public Wi-Fi, environmental sensing, and community messaging in urban environments; an emerging, smaller-scale peer in the smart-city kiosk category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LinkNYC social profiles
Digital presenceLinkNYC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LinkNYC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LinkNYC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LinkNYC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LinkNYC
What does LinkNYC do?
LinkNYC operates a network of more than 2,200 kiosks across New York City's five boroughs that provide free gigabit public Wi-Fi, free phone calls to anywhere in the U.S., USB device charging, and an Android tablet for accessing city services, maps, and directions. The entire network is funded through digital out-of-home advertising on the kiosks' two 55-inch HD displays. The second-generation Link5G kiosks add multi-tenant 5G cellular coverage and extended Wi-Fi range up to 750 feet.
Is LinkNYC a public or private company?
LinkNYC is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was LinkNYC founded?
LinkNYC was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LinkNYC based?
LinkNYC is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does LinkNYC make money?
One revenue line is on record: digital Out-of-Home Advertising.
Who are LinkNYC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Intersection, Boldyn Networks, Boingo Wireless and ZenFi Networks. Broad incumbents are JCDecaux, OUTFRONT Media, Lamar Advertising and Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi. Emerging players are CIVIQ Smartscapes and Soofa.
Does LinkNYC have an API?
No public API is recorded for LinkNYC.
What industry is LinkNYC in?
LinkNYC's product category is Public Wi-Fi and Connectivity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFACAI, Carrier & Public Venue Wi‑Fi (Hotspot/Passpoint/NGH), with a secondary code of HDAFACAB, Outdoor & Industrial/Rugged Wi‑Fi Access Points. Its NAICS code is 5171 and its SIC code is 4899.