ALBANY (WCBS 880) — A new law in New York State will require that high-speed broadband internet be provided to all low-income families for just $15 per month.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the law on Friday, saying this is a way to democratize access to high-speed internet.
“Many New Yorkers just can't afford it, especially today, especially in post-COVID economy,” the governor said.
The law now gives nearly 7 million New Yorkers who can't afford the average cost of internet service – which is often more than $50 per month – access to a much-needed service.
Families qualify for the reduced-cost service if they receive free or reduced-price lunches at schools, supplemental nutrition assistance benefits, Medicaid, senior citizen or disability rent increase exemptions or an affordability benefit from a utility.
“High-speed internet is essential to our everyday lives, and as we continue to reopen our state and adjust to new norms that have been shaped by the pandemic, we need to make sure every household has access to affordable internet," Cuomo said.
The governor notes that the law was signed on Friday as the state expects remote learning, remote working and other changes that were introduced during the pandemic will continue for years to come.
“Remote learning, remote working, and telemedicine are not going away. This program – the first of its kind in the nation – will ensure that no New Yorker will have to forego having reliable home internet service and no child's education will have to suffer due to their economic situation,” the governor said.
To further bridge the internet gap, Cuomo’s office says the State has partnered with Schmidt Futures and the Ford Foundation to launch “ConnectED NY,” which will provide 50,000 students in low-income school districts with free internet access through June 2022.
Additionally, the state plans to address “internet dead zones” by studying broadband availability, reliability and cost.
“We're going to do an in-depth study of the places that don't have access to high-speed broadband, identify them specifically, and get them the access,” Cuomo said.
Most of those locations are in rural areas in upstate New York.
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