New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, which mandates that ISPs offer discounted broadband plans to low-income residents, will take effect today, January 15, 2025, after a lengthy legal battle. The law requires ISPs to offer $15- or $20-per-month plans with minimum speeds of 25 Mbps or 200 Mbps, respectively, according to Ars Technica.
The law also includes price caps and periodic reviews of speed requirements. A U.S. appeals court upheld the law in April 2024, and the Supreme Court recently declined to review it, solidifying the state’s victory over broadband industry challenges, Inside Towers reported.
The law is particularly significant as it comes after the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program expired in mid-2024, affecting millions of low-income households. ISPs with fewer than 20,000 customers may apply for exemptions, while others must comply by the January deadline. Penalties for non-compliance can reach $1,000 per violation.
| By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief |
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