The law requires internet providers with over 20,000 customers to offer two affordable broadband plans to low-income households that qualify for social assistance benefits like Me

New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, which requires large internet service providers to offer affordable broadband plans to low-income households, went into effect. On the same day, AT&T announced that it would be pulling its 5G home internet service from the state entirely,

AT&T is discontinuing its home internet service, AT&T Internet Air, in New York, citing the state's Affordable Broadband Act (ABA).

A US appeals court upheld the law in April 2024, reversing the ruling of a district judge who blocked it in 2021. The Supreme Court last month decided not to hear the broadband industry's challenge, leaving the appeals court ruling in place. The state law requires Internet providers to offer $15- or $20-per-month service to people with low incomes.

Fixed-wireless service is increasingly popular in the US, but it costs around $60 from AT&T, which says it's 'uneconomical' to offer a reduced rate for qualifying low-income residents.

What does a massive $150 billion corporation do when a law forces it to make slightly less money? It takes its ball and goes home. At least, that’s what AT&T chose to do, ending a long saga of New York state attempting to enforce its affordable broadband law.