Consumer Resources

Affordable Broadband Act (ABA)

The Affordable Broadband Act (ABA), codified in NY General Business Law Section 399-ZZZZZ, requires internet service providers (ISPs) in New York State, with limited exceptions, to offer reduced-cost plans to qualifying households.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

What does reduced-cost mean?

Under the ABA, ISPs who are not exempted from the program are required to offer qualifying households broadband service at no more than $15 per month for at least 25 Mbps of service. 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 over 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 

How can I learn more?

Reach out to ISPs in your area for information on reduced-cost offerings available to qualifying households. To find an ISP, visit https://mapmybroadband.dps.ny.gov for a zip code level search.

Under the ABA, ISPs are expected to promote and advertise the availability of broadband service for low-income residential consumers - including information on how to enroll - and must treat ABA eligible customers the same as their other residential subscribers.

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. 

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.

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.

TAKE THE SPEED TEST

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.

There's an App for That

The FCC has an app to check the speed on your mobile device or in-home network. The FCC Speed Test App is available in the Google Play Store for Android devices, and in the Apple App Store for iOS devices. Search "FCC Speed Test" in either store to find and download the App.