You’ll Need to Count to Sign Up for Starlink’s$ 15-per-month Plan in New York, but You’ll Need to Count to Do It.

Starlink has for the first time provided high-speed online to thousands of rural Americans. Additionally, it is one of the most cheap internet service providers in the nation. So how is it accessible in New York for only$ 15 per month? &nbsp,

If Starlink wants to sell online in the position, it has no other options. That’s because of the Cheap Broadband Act, a state law that was passed in New York in January. Customers will still have to spend$ 349 frank, which is likely to be an insurmountable expense for many lower-income families.

According to the Affordable Broadband Act, major ISPs operating in New York must offer plans starting at$ 15 per month with at least 25Mbps of download speeds to qualifying households, or a$ 20-per-month plan with a minimum download speed of 200Mbps. &nbsp,

That amount must include “any recurring fees and charges, such as recurring rental fees for services provider tools required to obtain broadband services and use fees.”

Some companies, like AT&amp and T, choose to leave the state fully as opposed to offering the discounts that New York’s law demands.

Households are eligible for these plans if they make an annual income of up to 185 % of the federal poverty level, such as$ 59,477.50 for a family of four, or if they participate in initiatives like the Medicaid or SNAP.

In June, Starlink published a FAQ section for its site explaining its New York Affordable Broadband Service Plan, which PCMag second covered. ( Disclosure: Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag, owns it. )

Accessibility is the main obstacle to online deployment in New York, just like the rest of the nation as a whole. Nearly 30 % of households in the state, according to Benton Institute for Broadband & Society data for 2023, do not have internet access. This is up from 13 % for households earning between$ 35, 000 and$ 75, 000, and only 4 % for those earning over$ 75, 000.

However, many remote New Yorkers also struggle to get quick and reliable internet. According to the most recent FCC information, only 3 % of New Yorkers can get the minimum broadband speeds of 100 Mbps for downloads and uploads. &nbsp,

Reps for Starlink didn’t listen to a request for comment. &nbsp,