Technology (Telecommunications)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 3860: Provides regulatory control of Internet service providers by the public service commission, requires Internet neutrality and relates to the placement of equipment on utility poles

Provides regulatory control of Internet service providers by the public service commission; requires Internet neutrality; relates to the placement of equipment on utility poles.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires internet neutrality, mandating equal treatment of internet traffic to protect open access and consumer rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 190: Requires broadband providers to offer high speed broadband service to certain low-income consumers

This bill requires New York broadband providers to offer high-speed internet service at $5 per month to eligible low-income households. It directly affects households qualifying for programs like SNAP (food benefits), Medicaid, free/reduced school lunches, or senior/disability rent exemptions. Providers must offer minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, include all fees in the $5 price, and advertise the program prominently. They must also submit annual reports to the state on enrollment, eligibility verification, and service details to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationTargets households with school-aged children via free/reduced lunch eligibility, enabling digital access for homework and online learning resources.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates affordable high-speed broadband access for low-income households, directly expanding internet access and promoting digital equity per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2524: Relates to state contracts being only with internet service providers compliant with net neutrality and establishes a revolving fund for the establishment of municipal internet service providers; appropriation

Requires that state contracts only be with internet service providers compliant with net neutrality; establishes a revolving fund for the establishment of municipal internet service providers; appropriates $250 million therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250 million for municipal ISP fund, directly allocating state budget resources to establish public internet services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires net neutrality compliance for state ISP contracts and funds municipal broadband expansion, directly advancing open internet access and consumer protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3343: Requires broadband providers to offer high speed broadband service to certain low-income consumers

This bill requires New York broadband providers to offer high-speed internet service at $5 per month to eligible low-income households. Eligibility includes households receiving free/reduced school meals, meeting income thresholds (185% of federal poverty level), or enrolled in SNAP, Medicaid, or certain rent assistance programs. The service must provide minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, with providers required to advertise the program and submit annual compliance reports to the state. Violations could result in $1,000 fines per incident.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides affordable broadband to households with school meal eligibility, enhancing student access to educational resources and closing digital equity gaps in education.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires affordable high-speed broadband for low-income households, expanding internet access and promoting digital equity as a core policy goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Broadband Access Telecommunications

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2355: Relates to attachments to utility poles for broadband service

Relates to attachments to utility poles for broadband service; provides that for a broadband internet provider that does not provide regulated telephone service, a pole owner shall not require such broadband internet provider to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity as a condition to making attachments to utility poles solely owned or jointly-owned by the pole owner.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves certificate requirement for broadband pole attachments, facilitating faster deployment of internet infrastructure and expanding access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1214: Relates to conducting a study on various approaches to increasing broadband access within this state

This bill (S 1214) requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a study on improving broadband access across the state. The study must examine current internet speeds, regulatory barriers, successful policies from other states, potential public-private partnerships, and federal recommendations. The Commission must complete the study within 180 days of the bill's effective date and submit a final report to state leaders and post it online. The bill directly affects the Public Service Commission's responsibilities and will inform future decisions about broadband infrastructure. It does not create new regulations or funding but sets a process for evaluating solutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStudy on broadband access directly supports educational access, a core aspect of the topic, by addressing infrastructure barriers to digital learning resources.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates study to improve broadband access, directly expanding internet access as a key support indicator for technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7110: Authorizes broadband franchises in N.Y. city

This bill requires broadband providers operating in cities with populations of one million or more (like New York City) to pay cities for using public streets and sidewalks to install their networks. The payment amount is calculated per foot of line using a formula based on historical cable franchise fees from 2012. It also allows these cities to set additional rules to ensure universal internet access, public safety, and service quality. The bill establishes the financial terms for broadband operations in large cities without creating new franchises.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires broadband providers to pay cities for infrastructure use, enabling cities to enforce universal internet access rules - directly expands digital access85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2670: Requires cell towers to be equipped with a back-up power source in case of a power outage

This bill requires owners and operators of large cell towers (called "macro cell tower sites") in New York to install backup power systems capable of keeping towers running for at least 72 hours during power outages. The backup must use renewable energy, fuel cells, or energy storage, but existing towers with backup power do not need immediate upgrades until their current system requires replacement. It specifically applies to large outdoor towers providing wide-area service, excluding small cell systems or rooftop installations. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates renewable energy use for cell tower backup systems, directly advancing renewable energy adoption in infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates backup power for cell towers to maintain service during outages, enhancing network reliability and continuity of internet access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Energy Storage Renewable Energy Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6548: Establishes broadband opportunity areas

Provides for real property tax exemptions for last mile broadband infrastructure constructed, altered, installed or improved in an area designated a broadband opportunity area.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides real property tax exemptions for broadband infrastructure, reducing tax burden to promote deployment, aligning with fiscal support for essential services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax exemptions to incentivize broadband infrastructure deployment in underserved areas, directly expanding internet access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1545: Relates to instituting internet service neutrality

Relates to instituting internet service neutrality; provides the public service commission with jurisdiction over monitoring broadband internet service providers; requires a certification for internet service neutrality in certain state contracts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates net neutrality regulations for ISPs, requiring public oversight and certification to protect open internet access and consumer rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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