New York to require internet providers to charge low-income residents $15 for broadband

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

New York to require internet providers to charge low-income residents $15 for broadband

Updated 3:05 PM EDT, April 26, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — New York can move ahead with a law requiring internet service providers to offer heavily discounted rates to low-income residents, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

The decision from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan reverses a lower court ruling from 2021 that blocked the policy just days before it went into effect.

The law would force internet companies to give some low-income New Yorkers broadband service for as low as $15 a month, or face fines from the state.

Telecoms trade groups sued over the law, arguing it would cost them too much money and that it wrongly superseded a federal law that governs internet service.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/internet-broadband-new-york-city-6eef189aa0c757bb352e8c990e79a816

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Great. It took 3 years to move the suit across town. Should arrive in NJ in about 10 years. /nt

[jimfields33]

2. Shouldn't the state pay the difference?

The cable companies said it’d be expensive so the state should pay. I think with so many cutting the cord, the revenue is down. Has to be.

[Eugene]

4. "Lifeline" service is funded by state and federal subsidies.

"The cable companies said," but these same companies have
fought for 25+ year for a system of broadband haves and
have-nots. Broadband internet has become a utility,
and the state is regulating it as such.

[IbogaProject]

3. No this is for select groups

Seniors on SSI
Families w kids on reduced or free lunch, this was looking to expand it to a larger low income cohort.
I work with disabled people the existing plans are inadequate. Andrew Cuomo initiated this awhile ago. And FYI Time Warner used to always have quiet discounted plans at $20 & $25. When they merged with charter they got greedy and jacked prices. This isnt for gigabit this is for 25 to now 50 Megabit. This is a basic service that should be avilible to the poor, students and the disabled.