A proposed state law in California would force Internet service providers to offer $15 monthly plans to people with low incomes. The bill is similar to a New York law that took effect in January but has a higher minimum speed requirement: The proposed $15 plans for low-income California residents would have to come with download speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 20Mbps.
Broadband lobby groups fear that many states will enact such requirements after New York won a multiyear court battle to enforce its law. The Supreme Court has rejected telecom industry challenges to the New York law twice.
The California bill was proposed in January by Democratic Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, but the original version simply declared an intent to require affordable home Internet service and contained no specifics on required speeds or prices. The requirement for specific speeds and a $15 price is being added to the bill with an amendment that was provided to Ars today by Boerner’s office. The amendment should be in the official record by early next week, a Boerner spokesperson said.
“Every California Internet service provider shall offer for purchase to eligible households within their California service territory affordable home Internet service that meets minimum speed requirements,” the amended bill says. Each ISP would also be required to “make commercially reasonable efforts to promote and advertise” these plans, including via a “prominent display” on its website and promotional materials sent to consumers in eligible households.
The amendment defines affordable home Internet service as a plan costing no more than $15 a month, including all recurring taxes and fees. The speed requirements are at least 100Mbps downstream and 20Mbps upstream, with “sufficient speed and latency to support distance learning and telehealth services.” The plans would have to be offered to households in which at least one resident participates in a qualified public assistance program.