In a significant win for consumer rights and digital equity, New York’s Attorney General has compelled T-Mobile to cease imposing restrictive data caps on its low-income home internet plans. The move ensures that vulnerable New Yorkers can access truly affordable and reliable broadband, as mandated by the state’s Affordable Broadband Act (ABA).
A Mandate for Affordable Connectivity
The core of the dispute lies in the Affordable Broadband Act, a crucial piece of legislation designed to bridge the digital divide for low-income residents. Under the ABA, eligible households are entitled to broadband services at specific, affordable price points: at least 25 Mbps for $15 a month, or 200 Mbps for $20 a month, free from additional taxes or equipment fees. Furthermore, providers are obligated to actively promote these vital low-cost options.
T-Mobile’s Non-Compliance Uncovered
An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General revealed that T-Mobile had been systematically undermining the spirit and letter of the ABA. The telecom giant was found to be implementing monthly data caps on its ABA-compliant plans. Specifically, after a customer consumed just 50GB of data – an amount easily reached within four days of typical broadband usage – T-Mobile would drastically throttle speeds to a paltry 650 kilobits per second. This effectively rendered the “affordable” internet service unusable for many.
Beyond Data Caps: Restricting Access and Visibility
The issues extended beyond just throttling. T-Mobile was also limiting the availability of its ABA plans, offering them exclusively in areas where its 5G wireless network was already deployed. Compounding this, the company actively prevented search engines from indexing information about these plans on its website, making it incredibly difficult for eligible New Yorkers to even discover these options.
Attorney General James Steps In
Following the comprehensive investigation, Attorney General Letitia James’s office took decisive action. As a result, T-Mobile has agreed to a series of corrective measures:
- Immediate removal of all data caps on its ABA plans.
- Making ABA plans available across all areas in New York State where it offers home internet service.
- Ensuring that search engines can fully access and display details about these affordable broadband plans.
“Reliable and affordable internet service is a basic need for all New Yorkers, but T-Mobile flouted the law designed to help vulnerable New Yorkers access it,” stated Attorney General Letitia James. She emphasized her office’s commitment to the ABA’s goal and encouraged all eligible residents to enroll in these low-cost plans.
T-Mobile’s Response and Future Commitment
In a statement provided to Engadget, T-Mobile acknowledged the agreement, stating, “We have a long history of helping customers in New York stay connected through low-cost broadband, and we’re updating our plan to meet the state’s requirements while maintaining the same low price. We’ve reached an agreement with the New York Attorney General that builds on that commitment, provides greater clarity around our offering and makes the plan available to more eligible customers.”
This resolution marks a crucial step towards ensuring equitable access to essential internet services for all New Yorkers, reinforcing the state’s commitment to digital inclusion and holding major corporations accountable.
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