New York to require internet providers to charge low-income residents $15 for broadband
New York to require internet providers to charge low-income residents $15 for broadband The Associated Press
sdgtalks
New York Court Rules in Favor of Discounted Internet Rates for Low-Income Residents
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan has ruled in favor of a law in New York that requires internet service providers to offer heavily discounted rates to low-income residents. This decision overturns a previous ruling from 2021 that had blocked the policy just days before it was set to take effect.
Background
The law, approved by New York state lawmakers in 2021 as part of the budget, aims to provide broadband service to low-income residents for as low as $15 per month. Internet companies failing to comply with this requirement would face fines from the state.
However, telecoms trade groups filed a lawsuit against the law, arguing that it would impose significant financial burdens on them and that it violated a federal law governing internet service.
Court Decision and Industry Response
The recent ruling by the appeals court allows New York to move forward with the implementation of the law. The industry groups involved in the lawsuit are currently considering their next legal steps.
In response to the court’s decision, the industry groups expressed their disappointment and concerns about the potential impact on broadband operations. They believe that rate regulation in competitive industries discourages investment in national infrastructure and poses risks to the sustainability of broadband services in many areas.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This law aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, particularly Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. By providing affordable internet access to low-income residents, New York aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure equal opportunities for all its citizens.
Access to the internet has become a vital utility, enabling individuals to access educational resources, job opportunities, healthcare services, and various other essential services. The discounted rates offered through this law contribute to achieving SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 1: No Poverty
- Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
- Indicator: The article highlights the law requiring internet service providers to offer heavily discounted rates to low-income residents, aiming to provide them with affordable access to the internet as a basic service.
-
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
- Indicator: The article discusses the law’s aim to provide low-income New Yorkers with broadband service for as low as $15 a month, promoting affordable access to the internet and bridging the digital divide.
-
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.
- Indicator: The article mentions that telecoms trade groups sued over the law, indicating the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the need for partnerships to address the issue of affordable internet access.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | The law requiring internet service providers to offer heavily discounted rates to low-income residents, aiming to provide them with affordable access to the internet as a basic service. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. | The law’s aim to provide low-income New Yorkers with broadband service for as low as $15 a month, promoting affordable access to the internet and bridging the digital divide. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. | The involvement of telecoms trade groups and the need for partnerships to address the issue of affordable internet access. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: apnews.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
