Affordable Broadband Act (ABA)
New York State law requires residential internet service providers (ISPs) in New York State to offer reduced-cost plans to qualifying households. For help enrolling in a reduced-cost plan call 211. New York City residents can call 311 or visit AccessNYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What reduced-cost options are available at my address?
Reach out to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in your area for information on reduced-cost offerings available to qualifying households. To find an ISP, visit https://mapmybroadband.dps.ny.gov. Use your home address or zip code to search for options. To find out if a provider that serves your address offers a reduced-cost plan:
- Enter your address into the search box at the top right of the map.
- Service providers at your address are shown on the panel to the right. Click on one of the providers with a * next to its name and then click on the link to that provider’s low-cost high-speed option.
- ISPs in New York are required to promote and advertise their low-cost internet service option, including information on how to enroll, and must treat subscribers to the low-cost product the same as their other residential subscribers.
- Watch the video below to learn how to use the Department of Public Service's broadband map.
Four easy steps to use the DPS Broadband map.
What does reduced-cost mean?
ISPs in New York are required to offer qualifying households broadband service at no more than $15 per month for a download speed of at least 25 Mbps. (Some smaller ISPs may be exempt.) If an ISP offers a $20 per month plan for high-speed broadband service of at least 200 Mbps they are considered in compliance with the law. An ISP is not required to offer both plans. No bundles, additional fees, or taxes are allowed to be required or charged by the ISP.
What services are included?
Non-exempt ISPs are required to offer reduced-cost options for all connections of any speed service via fixed wireless, wireline, or satellite services. ABA does not include reduced-cost plan options for mobile or dial-up services.
Does my household qualify?
New Yorkers can qualify for these broadband plans if their household participates in any of the following programs:
- Free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Medicaid
- Senior citizen rent increase exemption
- Disability rent increase exemption
- Affordability benefit from a utility
Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Eligible consumers can get up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services. Learn more about Lifeline.
ABA Resources for Your Organization
ConnectALL has created the resources below to help spread the word about the Affordable Broadband Act.
ABA Accessible Brochure for People with Disabilities in English
Folleto de ABA accesible para personas con discapacidades en español
Find Internet Providers
The map below can help you identify providers in your area.
New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) Broadband Map: Search an address on a map for providers who report offering internet service in the area. If this map does not accurately reflect the internet service providers that actually offer service to your home, we encourage you to let DPS know by using the feedback tab to the right of the map.
FCC National Broadband Map
The National Broadband Map provides information about the internet services available to individual locations across the country, along with new maps of mobile coverage, as reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the FCC’s ongoing Broadband Data Collection.
Take a Speed Test
The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) provides users the opportunity to test their Internet connection bandwidth using a speed test. The speed test will measure a few data points:
- Download Speed: How quickly content is transferred to your computer in Mbps (megabits per second). This is particularly important if you use the Internet to stream video or gaming.
- Upload Speed: How quickly you are able to upload content to the Internet in Mbps. This is particularly important if you often use the Internet to share videos, music and images.
- Ping/Jitter: This refers to the amount of latency in a network, or the amount of time it takes data to travel from one computer to another on a network.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Need?
- Light users primarily use the Internet for basic functions such as email, browsing, basic video, VoIP, and Internet radio.
- Moderate users rely on basic functions plus one high-demand application such as streaming HD video, multiparty video conferencing, online gaming or telecommuting.
- High users rely on basic functions plus more than one high-demand application running at the same time.
For an estimate on how much speed you need, use the FCC's Household Broadband Guide.