stokescuomotwo
Buffalo, NY (77WABC)-NY Governor Andrew Cuomo today in Buffalo, NY joined by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People Stokes in announcing NY is the first state in the nation to establish a new law requiring Internet Service Providers to provide high speed broadband to low income families receiving government assistance for $15. Furthermore, if a family cannot afford the $15, the fee will be paid for through a partnership between Schmidt Futures and The Ford Foundation.
The legislation affects all ISP Providers, such as Charter/Spectrum, Altice/Optimum, Verizon, Frontier and Windstream. You can watch a portion of Gov. Cuomo’s announcement below:
Happening NOW: I'm signing legislation establishing the first-in-the-nation requirement for affordable broadband.
ISPs operating in NYS must offer $15/month high-speed internet to low-income families across the state.
Affordable broadband is a right. https://t.co/5Q8NNaIBlf
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 16, 2021
Governor Cuomo said “for many, many people they are precluded (from services) by not having access,” to broadband including telemedicine, doctors appointments, drivers licenses, education and more.
The legislation, contained in the recently passed state budget, also requires a study of the quality and availability of broadband around the state. The goal is 100% high quality access. Currently, 98% of the state has broadband availability.
The Governor and Stokes both expressed their sincere thanks to Schmidt Futures and Ford for creating their partnership. Stokes said, “that’s critical, that’s like public private partnerships working together in the interests of the people.”
