Poor N.Y.ers get break on Net service

Internet companies will have to provide service to low-income New Yorkers at a rate of $15 per month, as part of the state budget passed this week.

Households eligible for federal food stamps, Medicaid benefits and free or reduced school lunches will be eligible for the low rate. So will those eligible for rent freezes through the “SCRIE” and “DRIE” programs, along with those already getting an affordability benefit from a utility.

The legislation, part of Albany’s annual “big ugly” covering a range of non-budget-related items, comes after years of efforts to boost broadband access in the Big Apple and beyond.

“Increasing accessible and affordable broadband for families that are lower-income,” Gov. Cuomo said Wednesday. “Everyone has to have access — not only access, but access to affordable broadband.”

The governor, who got the budget passed amid ongoing scandals on sexual harassment and his handling of nursing home deaths from COVID-19, pointed to reliance on the internet for remote learning as a driving force behind the legislation.

“Remote learning works if the student has the right devices, if the student has internet access, if the student’s family can afford internet service,” he said. “So, this is a major reform for social equity.”

Nearly 30% of New York City households lacked internet access as of 2017, according to city Comptroller Scott Stringer.

Most New Yorkers get internet service from Spectrum or Verizon.

Mayor de Blasio still plans to move ahead with a $157 million plan to provide broadband internet for 200,000 NYCHA residents and 400,000 other people.