Re: AT&t ABF NYC

[Tom Beecher <beecher () beecher cc>]

Yup.

Claims that AT&T is 'pulling out of NYS' because of this is comically
misinformed.  Reviewing the facts:

1. ISPs are required to offer low income consumers, defined as eligible for
free/reduced priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program, or
income of less than 185% of the federal poverty level. ( The school lunch
limit is also currently 185% of the federal poverty level. ) Currently
$27800 - $47800 for a family size of 1-3.
2. The service must be at least 25Mb or equal to the speed that provider
currently offers on any low-income services offered in NYS. [ Loophole ]
3. If the service is less than 200Mb, the ISP can charge $15 all in.
(Taxes, fees etc. )
4. If the service is 200Mb or more, the ISP can charge $20 PLUS Equipment
rental fees and taxes.  [ Loophole ]

The $15 tier with no accomodation for equipment is, in my opinion, a raw
deal for the ISPs. However a big loophole exists, that was intentional in
the drafting of the bill; the 200Mb clause.

All an ISP has to do is move their baseline low-income service to 200Mb ,
and they can continue to charge equipment rental on top of the monthy
service. And as we all know, equipment rental is a nice little profit line.

Now, some addition state context.
1. NYS guidance has already come out that states ISP are only required to
offer this anywhere they already offer services. Meaning ISPs are not
required to new build outs just to provide low-income service.
2. Almost all municipalities in NYS have already required ISPs to
offer services with very simialr requirements in their franchise agreements
for the better part of 20 years.
3. The prime ISP objection to this bill was that the franchise agreements
were individually negotiated, so they could always work favorable terms in.
They didn't want a blanket law for the state that they couldn't
renegotiate.
4. The law states that ISPs must take 'reasonable efforts' to make the
avalability of these services known to consumers. That's already been in
franchise agreements for decades, and given 'reasonable efforts' are ill
defined, it's effectively unenforcable.

So in summary, Mike, no, this isn't 'government getting involved in things
they don't understand'. This is mostly a statewide codification of things
that have already been happening in the state of NY for 2 decades. It's
also not true that AT&T is pulling out of the state. They are simply
pushing to move people around to service offerings that fall outside the
scope the the law to avoid it's requirements.

On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 10:21 AM Josh Luthman <josh () imaginenetworksllc com>
wrote:

> New York Affordable Broadband Act
>
>
> https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/new-york-starts-enforcing-15-broadband-law-that-isps-tried-to-kill/
>
> On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 9:24 AM Tom Beecher <beecher () beecher cc> wrote:
>
> > Mike-
> >
> > What specific government regulation or action are you asserting here that
> > caused this action?
> >
> > On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 9:13 AM Mike Hammett <nanog () ics-il net> wrote:
> >
> > > Government gets over involved in things they don't understand, and
> > > businesses pull out.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----
> > > Mike Hammett
> > > Intelligent Computing Solutions
> > > http://www.ics-il.com
> > >
> > > Midwest-IX
> > > http://www.midwest-ix.com
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > > *From: *"Robert DeVita" <radevita () mejeticks com>
> > > *To: *nanog () nanog org
> > > *Sent: *Thursday, January 16, 2025 8:05:57 AM
> > > *Subject: *AT&t ABF NYC
> > >
> > > FYI. AT&T is discontinuing their ABF service in New York.
> > >
> > > *What's Happening with Existing ABF Customers in NY*
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > AT&T Business Fiber customers in New York will be able to keep their
> > > current ABF service until March 1 at no charge, as they find other options
> > > for broadband service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Customers *must do one of the following before 3/1/25*, when their ABF
> > > services will be disconnected:
> > >
> > >    - Sign a 12-month contract for existing ABF services at current rates
> > >    - Switch to AT&T Dedicated Internet (ADI) or AWB with standard
> > >    pricing
> > >    - Take no action, and their ABF services will be disconnected on
> > >    3/1/25
> > >
> > > Existing customers are being contacted via email and direct mail to
> > > inform them of the changes and offer the option to either sign a 12-month
> > > contract or migrate to AWB or ADI.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > AT&T’s nationwide wireless service will not change in New York. AIA-B
> > > and ABF are still offered in all other qualified locations and states. We
> > > value our customers and AT&T will continue to support policies that promote
> > > capital investment, innovation and a competitive market.
> > >
> > >
> > > Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>