New York’s mandate for Internet service providers (ISPs) to offer broadband at $15 or $20 monthly has ignited a legislative movement across the U.S. States like Vermont, Massachusetts, and California are now considering similar laws to ensure affordable internet access for low-income households. This push comes after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lost its authority to regulate ISPs as common carriers, a decision that was upheld by a federal appeals court. This ruling has allowed states to impose their own regulations on ISPs. In Vermont, a bill was introduced on January 29, directly inspired by New York’s law, aiming to address the digital divide highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis. Despite industry resistance, these state-level initiatives continue to gain traction, with courts affirming states’ rights to regulate when the FCC does not.
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