New York begins implementing $15 broadband law that ISPs are trying to kill

1.7 million households in New York lost the FCC discount

The order said the quick implementation of the law is important because of “developments at the federal level that affect the viability of broadband service.” About 1.7 million households in New York, and 23 million nationwide, receive a monthly discount through the FCC’s program ends in mid-2024 after Congress failed to provide additional funding.

“For this reason, consumer benefit programs that help low-income households — like the ABA — are even more critical to ensure that the digital divide for low-income New Yorkers is addressed,” the order in New York.

New York’s ISPs may obtain an exemption from the low-cost broadband law if they “provide service to no more than 20,000 households and the Commission determines that compliance with such requirements would result in ‘unreasonable or non-sustainable financial impact on the broadband service provider,’ “said the order.

More than 40 small ISPs filed for exemptions in 2021 before the law was blocked by a judge. Those ISPs and possibly others will be granted one-month exemptions if they file paperwork on Wednesday stating they have met the subscriber threshold. ISPs must submit detailed financial information by February 15 to obtain longer-term exemptions.

“All other ISPs (ie, those with more than 20,000 subscribers) must comply with the ABA by January 15, 2025,” the order says. Failure to comply is punishable by a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation. The law applies to wireline, fixed wireless, and satellite providers.

Charter Spectrum today Advertisements a $25-per-month plan with 50Mbps speeds for low-income households. Comcast and Best there are $15 plans. Verizon has a low income program reducing the cost of some home Internet plans by up to $20 a month.

Disclosure: The Advance/Newhouse Partnership, which owns 12.3 percent of Charter, is part of Advance Publications, which also owns Ars Technica parent Condé Nast.