New York implements $15 broadband law for low-income households
New York $15 broadband law mandates ISPs offer cheap access to low-income households.

New York has enacted the Affordable Broadband Act, requiring Internet service providers with 20,000 or more subscribers to offer low-cost internet plans to low-income households. This legislation, effective January 15, 2025, mandates ISPs to provide either a 25 Mbps plan for $15 or a 200 Mbps plan for $20 monthly, including taxes and fees.
The Supreme Court's decision not to hear a challenge from broadband industry lobby groups allowed a previous appeals court ruling to stand, reinstating the law. Service providers may face fines of up to $1,000 for non-compliance, though exemptions are available for those serving fewer than 20,000 customers if compliance poses an unreasonable financial burden.
Roughly 1.7 million New York households benefitted from a Federal Communications Commission program offering broadband discounts, which ended in mid-2024. Current plans from providers like Charter Spectrum, Comcast, Optimum, and Verizon already offer competitive pricing, highlighting existing initiatives supporting low-income families.