Affordable Internet in New York: Best Low-Cost Plans for 2026
New York is genuinely different from every other state when it comes to low-cost internet — and in a good way. The Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) is the strongest state-level internet affordability law in the country. It forces major ISPs to offer real broadband at $15–$20 a month, all-in, no games with fees or equipment charges. The NY Public Service Commission reaffirmed it in a March 20, 2026 order, so this isn't going anywhere.
If you're in New York City public housing, the story gets even better: Big Apple Connect delivers 300 Mbps internet at no cost to all NYCHA residents, no income check required. And a newer pilot program called Liberty Link is quietly rolling out no-cost service to affordable housing buildings in the Bronx and upper Manhattan.
Stacking all of this — ABA plan + federal Lifeline discount — you can realistically pay under $6 a month for broadband. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get the best deal for your household.
Quick Answer: Best Affordable Internet Options in New York
- NYCHA residents: Big Apple Connect — no cost, 300 Mbps, no application needed
- ABA + Lifeline stacked: Optimum Advantage Internet at $14.99/month minus $9.25 Lifeline = ~$5.74/month
- Best ABA plan for speed: Verizon Forward + ABA — $20/month for 200 Mbps fiber
- Best ABA plan statewide availability: Spectrum Internet Assist — $15/month, 50 Mbps (NY-only price)
New York ABA Plan Comparison
| Provider | Program Name | Monthly Price | Download Speed | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum | Advantage Internet | $14.99 | Up to 100 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, or income ≤185% FPL |
| Spectrum | Internet Assist (NY rate) | $15.00 | 50 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or National School Lunch Program |
| Verizon | Forward + ABA | $20.00 | 200 Mbps fiber | SNAP, Medicaid, or income ≤185% FPL |
| Xfinity | Internet Essentials | $14.95 | 75 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or other assistance programs |
| Frontier | Low-Cost Broadband | $19.99 | 200 Mbps symmetrical | SNAP, Medicaid, or income ≤185% FPL |
| Astound | Internet First | $19.95 | 150 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, or income ≤185% FPL |
| Starry | Starry Connect | $15.00 | 30 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, or income ≤185% FPL |
All prices include taxes, fees, and equipment — required by the Affordable Broadband Act. 16 ISPs are currently in compliance statewide.
Provider Details and How to Apply
Optimum Advantage Internet — $14.99/month, 100 Mbps
Optimum covers a large chunk of the New York metro area including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. Their Advantage Internet plan at $14.99/month is one of the fastest options at the lowest ABA price tier — 100 Mbps is more than enough for video calls, streaming, and remote school or work.
No modem rental fee, no installation surcharge, no annual contract. To apply, call 1-866-200-7273 or visit optimum.com/advantage. You'll need to show proof of SNAP, Medicaid, or income documentation.
Spectrum Internet Assist — $15/month, 50 Mbps
Spectrum covers most of upstate New York, the Capital Region, Central NY, and the Southern Tier. Their Internet Assist plan is $15/month in New York — $10 less than the same plan in every other state they serve. That's a direct result of the ABA, and it's real money: $120 a year just because of where you live.
Eligible if you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or your child participates in the National School Lunch Program. Apply at spectrum.com/internet/spectrum-internet-assist or call 1-844-488-8395.
Verizon Forward + ABA — $20/month, 200 Mbps fiber
If you're in Verizon's Fios service area (NYC boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and parts of the Hudson Valley), this is the fastest plan at the ABA price points. 200 Mbps symmetrical fiber at $20/month, all-in, is hard to beat anywhere in the country.
Apply at verizon.com/home/verizon-forward or call 1-800-837-4966.
Xfinity Internet Essentials — $14.95/month, 75 Mbps
Xfinity serves parts of New York, primarily in the Hudson Valley and some suburban areas. Internet Essentials at $14.95/month offers 75 Mbps — a solid mid-range option. Apply at xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials or call 1-855-846-8376.
Frontier Low-Cost Broadband — $19.99/month, 200 Mbps symmetrical
Frontier primarily serves rural and suburban upstate New York. Their 200 Mbps symmetrical fiber plan at $19.99/month is excellent value — matching upload and download speeds matter for video calls and file uploads. Apply at frontier.com/local/new-york or call 1-855-981-4544.
Astound Internet First — $19.95/month, 150 Mbps
Astound serves parts of NYC and surrounding areas. Internet First at $19.95/month gives 150 Mbps. Apply at astound.com/internet-first or call 1-800-427-8686.
Starry Connect — $15/month, 30 Mbps
Starry Connect is a wireless broadband option in select New York markets. At 30 Mbps and $15/month, it's enough for browsing, email, and standard-definition video. Check availability at starry.com/connect.
Big Apple Connect: No-Cost Internet for NYCHA Residents
If you live in a NYCHA building, this is the program to know first. Big Apple Connect provides 300 Mbps internet and basic cable TV at no cost to residents — no income requirement, no application form, no credit check. You live in NYCHA housing, you get the service.
- Bronx and Manhattan: Provided by Optimum — call 866-580-1410
- Brooklyn: Provided by Spectrum — call 866-960-1754
- Queens and Staten Island: Provider varies — contact your building manager or NYCHA at 718-707-7771
Enrollment is simple: call the number for your borough, give them your NYCHA development name and unit, and they'll set up service. No documents required. The program runs through at least 2027.
300 Mbps is well above what most households need day-to-day. This isn't a stripped-down plan — it's the same product that non-NYCHA customers pay for.
Liberty Link Pilot: No-Cost Internet in Affordable Housing (Bronx + Upper Manhattan)
Liberty Link launched in January 2026 as a pilot bringing no-cost internet to residents of approximately 35 affordable housing buildings in the Bronx and upper Manhattan. Managed by NYPL and NYC HPD, it currently covers about 2,200 households.
To find out if your building is included: contact your building manager, or reach out to your nearest NYPL branch. There's no central online signup — it's managed at the neighborhood level. Liberty Link will likely expand if the pilot performs well.
Stacking ABA + Lifeline: The Math for Getting Under $6/Month
The federal Lifeline program provides a $9.25/month discount on internet or phone service, and it's stackable on top of an ABA plan.
| ABA Plan | Regular ABA Price | Lifeline Discount | Net Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum Advantage Internet | $14.99 | −$9.25 | $5.74 |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95 | −$9.25 | $5.70 |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | $15.00 | −$9.25 | $5.75 |
| Verizon Forward + ABA | $20.00 | −$9.25 | $10.75 |
| Frontier Low-Cost Broadband | $19.99 | −$9.25 | $10.74 |
To qualify for Lifeline: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension. Apply at lifelinesupport.org, then contact your ABA provider to stack the discount.
Coverage by Region: NYC vs. Upstate and Rural New York
New York City
NYC residents have the most options. Optimum, Verizon Fios, Spectrum, Astound, and Starry all operate here. Big Apple Connect covers all NYCHA buildings. Liberty Link is expanding through affordable housing.
Upstate New York (Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse)
Spectrum and Frontier are the primary ABA providers in most upstate cities. Spectrum's $15/month plan is available throughout its upstate service area. Frontier's 200 Mbps symmetrical fiber is expanding in Rochester and other markets.
Rural New York
The ABA applies only to ISPs with 20,000+ subscribers, so smaller rural providers aren't required to participate. Best options in rural New York:
- Federal Lifeline: $9.25/month discount on whatever service is available
- Starry Connect: $15/month in some rural markets
- ConnectALL: NY's broadband expansion — check broadband.ny.gov for maps and timelines
Devices and Digital Resources
NYPL Hotspot Lending
NYPL branches lend portable Wi-Fi hotspots to cardholders — no income verification, just a library card. Hotspots can be borrowed for up to a year at some branches. Check at nypl.org/help/borrowing-materials/mobile-hotspots. Brooklyn and Queens public libraries run similar programs.
PCs for People
PCs for People sells refurbished computers to qualifying households (income ≤200% FPL or enrolled in assistance programs) at reduced prices — often $50–$150 for a functional laptop. They also offer low-cost mobile hotspot service. Find them at pcsforpeople.org.
NYC Public Computer Centers
Over 100 public computer centers across all five boroughs offer free computer access, printing, and digital literacy classes. Find your nearest at nyc.gov/connected.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Affordable Internet in New York
- Start at FreeConnect.US. Enter your New York address to see which ABA-compliant providers serve your building, along with current plan prices and eligibility requirements.
- Check your eligibility. Pull up documentation for SNAP, Medicaid, or income proof. 185% FPL is roughly $26,000 for a single person or $60,000 for a family of four.
- NYCHA residents: call Big Apple Connect first. Optimum at 866-580-1410 (Bronx/Manhattan) or Spectrum at 866-960-1754 (Brooklyn). No income verification needed.
- Choose your ABA plan. Compare speeds and prices above. For most households, Optimum Advantage or Spectrum Internet Assist at $14.99–$15/month is the best starting point.
- Apply for Lifeline too. Go to lifelinesupport.org and complete the National Verifier. Then ask your ISP to stack the $9.25 Lifeline discount.
- Need a device? Apply to PCs for People or check your local library for hotspot lending while your home service is being set up.
Affordable Internet Resources by New York City
FreeConnect has detailed pages for New York's major cities with address-level provider lookups:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New York's Affordable Broadband Act?
The Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) is a New York State law requiring internet providers with 20,000+ subscribers to offer plans at $15/month (25 Mbps minimum) or $20/month (200 Mbps minimum) to qualifying households, with all taxes and fees included. It took effect January 15, 2025 and was reaffirmed by the NY PSC on March 20, 2026. New York is the only state with a law this specific and enforceable.
Who qualifies for ABA plans in New York?
You qualify if any household member participates in SNAP, Medicaid, or your household income is below 185% FPL — roughly $26,000 for a single person or $60,000 for a family of four. You only need to meet the criteria once per address.
What is Big Apple Connect and who can get it?
Big Apple Connect provides no-cost internet (300 Mbps) plus basic cable TV to all NYCHA residents. No income test, no application form, no credit check. Bronx/Manhattan: Optimum at 866-580-1410. Brooklyn: Spectrum at 866-960-1754. The program runs through at least 2027.
Can I combine an ABA plan with Lifeline?
Yes — and you should if you qualify. Federal Lifeline gives qualifying households a $9.25/month discount, stackable on an ABA plan. Applied to a $14.99/month ABA plan, your cost drops to about $5.74. Apply at lifelinesupport.org and ask your ISP to stack the benefit.
What if I live in rural New York with no major ISP?
The ABA only applies to ISPs with 20,000+ subscribers, so rural co-ops and small providers are exempt. Best options: federal Lifeline ($9.25/month off whatever service you have), Starry Connect ($15/month in select markets), and ConnectALL fiber expansion — check maps at broadband.ny.gov.
Is Spectrum Internet Assist really cheaper in New York than other states?
Yes. Spectrum Internet Assist is $25/month in every other state. In New York, the ABA caps it at $15/month for the same 50 Mbps service — saving you $120 a year just because of where you live.
What is Liberty Link and how do I enroll?
Liberty Link is a January 2026 pilot providing no-cost internet to residents of ~35 affordable housing buildings in the Bronx and upper Manhattan, managed by NYPL and NYC HPD. It covers about 2,200 households. Contact your building manager or nearest NYPL branch to find out if your building is included — there's no central online signup yet.
The Bottom Line
- New York's Affordable Broadband Act is the strongest state internet affordability law in the country — 16 ISPs in compliance, plans from $14.95 to $20/month, all-in
- NYCHA residents should call Big Apple Connect first — 300 Mbps at no cost, no application required
- Liberty Link covers ~2,200 households in Bronx and upper Manhattan affordable housing — worth checking if you're in those neighborhoods
- Stacking an ABA plan with federal Lifeline gets you under $6/month for real broadband service
- Spectrum Internet Assist is $10/month less in New York than in other states — a direct ABA win
- Rural New York has fewer options, but ConnectALL expansion and Lifeline discounts help close the gap
- NYPL hotspots, PCs for People, and NYC public computer centers give you device and access options
- Start at FreeConnect.US to see exactly which plans are available at your address