AT&T announced 5G home internet service Internet Air will no longer be available in New York in response to the state’s Affordable Broadband Act.

New York State’s Affordable Broadband Act, or ABA, requires that ISPs offer low-income households much cheaper internet plans. This generally means that $15 and $20 broadband plans should be offered to low-income households in the state.

The law took effect on January 15. The $15 per month plan should provide speeds of 25Mbps while the $20 per month plan should provide speeds of 200Mbps. These prices must also include all taxes, fees, and recurring equipment rental costs, so placing deceptive asterisks on this monthly price is not permitted.

The law applies only to families who qualify for programs such as the National School Lunch Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Medicaid. Smaller ISPs can apply for an exemption, but they need to meet certain criteria: they must serve fewer than 20,000 households and be able to prove financial hardship.

AT&T It has apparently decided not to abide by this law and is finally pulling the plug on its Internet Air service in the state altogether. AT&T He stated that the new broadband law imposes harmful price regulations and makes it uneconomical AT&T To invest in it and expand its infrastructure in the country.

AT&TThe 5G home network service, called Internet Air, launches in 2023. It provides home internet for $60 per month (or $47 if bundled with AT&T Mobile plan). The service is currently available in almost all states. New York lies abroad AT&TThe basic 21-state wired area anyway (AT&T It has less infrastructure in the state and has invested less in it), so it’s not too difficult for the company to abandon ship.

Meanwhile, Internet Air is expanding elsewhere, gaining 135,000 new customers in the last quarter alone. Existing Internet Air customers in New York have 45 days to find a new carrier, during which they can continue to use the service for free. after that, AT&T Will be ready to send pre-paid return kits to customers to get this amazing 5G router back. This is important to note AT&TMobile services, including 4G and 5G networks, remain unaffected by this situation, so you can rest assured that your smartphone will continue to have access to… AT&TNetwork seamlessly in New York.

like AT&T Exits, all eyes on competitors like Verizon and T-Mobile to see how they respond to the new law. Verizon It does offer affordable options for low-income families, which can align with ABA requirements, instead T-Mobileknown for its ambitious expansion of 5G services, may use this as an opportunity to capture more of New York’s broadband market.