State launching rural broadband access study | The Daily Gazette SECTIONS CAPITAL REGION – A new state study to map out areas underserved by broadband internet so attention can be focused on serving them is about to start, an Assembly backer said Friday. “This needs to happen if we are going to break down and get past the barriers that have not allowed broadband to expand in rural communities,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam. The $3 million study will be conducted by the state Public Service Commission, with a report due by May 16, 2022. Launching the study was one of the provisions in a 2021-2022 internet access bill signed into law in April by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.