Utilities, Energy & Communications · Surprise rank #249
Low-Income NY Household? Covered Internet Providers Must Offer a $15 Plan—or a $20 Faster Plan
New York's Affordable Broadband Act requires covered internet providers to offer a low-income broadband option at no more than $15 per month for at least 25 Mbps or an alternative plan at no more than $20 per month for at least 200 Mbps.
Who
Households meeting the program's qualifying low-income/public-benefit criteria and served by an internet provider subject to the Act.
Where: New York State where covered providers offer service
What to do
Start here: Ask the internet provider for its Affordable Broadband Act plan or use New York's broadband resources to identify participating/covered providers. NYC residents can also call 311; elsewhere in New York, 211 can help.
Eligibility: Qualifying routes include specified public-benefit or low-income categories under current New York rules. Provider coverage also matters because smaller providers may qualify for exemptions.
What you get
Qualifying households can access a permanently regulated low-cost broadband option from covered providers.
Benefit: A broadband plan capped at $15 per month for at least 25 Mbps or a qualifying provider alternative capped at $20 per month for at least 200 Mbps.
Possible value: Potentially hundreds of dollars per year compared with higher-priced retail internet plans.
Good to know
Important: A provider is not necessarily required to offer both price/speed options, and small providers may be exempt. The plan must be purchased from a provider subject to the Act at the household's address.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Many households still look for the expired federal ACP and do not realize New York now has its own enforceable low-cost broadband requirement.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026