News - AT&T ends broadband service in NY

Common_C3nts

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/2025/01/24/att-ends-broadband-service-new-york-as-affordable-broadband-act-begins/77922989007/

Internet service providers are already pulling out of New York state as AT&T has stopped offering its fixed-wireless internet service statewide as of Jan. 15, according to the company.

ATT basically taking the stance that wireline service is cheaper than wireless. LOL
They would rather lose profits than admit that $15 a month is still profitable for wireless.
Based on ACP numbers, 22% of NY households were eligible for the ACP when it existed.

Under the ABA, qualifying New York households can access high-speed internet at two price points:

$15 per month for speeds of at least 25 megabits per second
$20 per month for high-speed service of at least 200 megabits per second

New Yorkers can qualify for these low-income broadband plans if they participate in any of the following programs:

Free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Medicaid
Senior citizen rent increase exemption
Disability rent increase exemption
Affordability benefit from a utility

MacLeech

Common_C3nts ATT didn’t take the stance that wireline service is cheaper. You missed the following in the article you linked too:

“And since New York is outside of AT&T's wireline service footprint, there are no other home internet options available throughout the state.”

They don’t offer wireline service in the state and now they won’t offer fixed wireless either.

Common_C3nts

The other companies that do offer wireline are complying with the law.

MacLeech

Common_C3nts How does that make any difference to ATT in New York?

ATT is complying with the law too. They're not offering home internet service, so they don't have to offer it at $15 or $20.

Common_C3nts

The point is ATT is giving the excuse that it is unprofitable when that is not true.

MacLeech

Common_C3nts First you missed understanding the first paragraph mentioning ATT didn't offer wireline service in NY, now you demonstrate you also misunderstood the second paragraph as well. ATT didn't say it was unprofitable, ATT said

"While we are committed to providing reliable and affordable internet service to customers across the country, New York's broadband law imposes harmful rate regulations that make it uneconomical for AT&T to invest in and expand our broadband infrastructure in the state," an AT&T spokesperson said in a written statement last week.

Uneconomical does NOT equal unprofitable. They might be making $1 profit per customer at $15 per month, but they calculate it's not worth it to them. Not all money is good money. ATT can now use their FWA expenditures from New York to support more profitable operations elsewhere.

If the company you currently work for cut your salary by 60%, but it was still enough for you to get by, would you still work for them? Would you spend your time at a better paying job elsewhere?

ATT is under no obligation to provide home internet service in that area. They have no COLR requirements being a wireless provider. Spectrum, Verizon, Optimum, and others are still in the state providing internet service. ATT doesn't want to provide fixed internet to the area, let them go.