The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has reached a settlement with Charter Communications, Inc., the parent company of broadband provider Spectrum, which serves 58 of New York State’s 62 counties. The agreement mandates that the company offer discounted broadband service to low-income customers participating in the National Free School Lunch Program or those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
“My administration has remained committed to expanding internet access for all New Yorkers, and this settlement will directly benefit thousands of low-income families across the state,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “Broadband is essential for driving economic growth and creating opportunities for everyone, and we will continue working to provide access across New York.”
The PSC approved an enforcement settlement with Charter, the largest cable provider in the state. The settlement stems from a 2016 merger order that included enforceable public interest conditions, one of which required Charter to offer a low-income broadband program with download speeds of at least 30 Megabits per second (Mbps) for $14.99 per month. The Department of Public Service (DPS) alleged that Charter violated this order by raising the price of its low-income broadband program to $24.99 per month while increasing the speed to 50 Mbps, all without obtaining Commission approval. Charter disputed these allegations.
Under the settlement, Charter is required to re-establish the program at $15 per month with a download speed of 50 Mbps for the next four years for eligible New Yorkers in the National Free School Lunch Program or receiving SSI benefits. In years two through four, Charter will be prohibited from raising the price beyond the rate of inflation, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index.
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