In a move to align with New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, SpaceX has rolled out a new $15-per-month Starlink internet plan for eligible low-income residents in the state. The plan, dubbed the New York Affordable Broadband Service Plan, offers download speeds capped at 25Mbps, meeting the minimum requirements set by the state law that took effect earlier this year spotted by PCMag. However, accessing this deal isn’t as simple as clicking a button on Starlink’s website—eligible customers must navigate a specific process through SpaceX’s support team to enroll.
The New York Affordable Broadband Act mandates that internet service providers with over 20,000 household customers in the state offer plans with at least 25Mbps download speeds for no more than $15 per month to consumers enrolled in low-income assistance programs, such as Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, or Senior Citizen/Disability Rent Increase Exemptions. Earlier this year, SpaceX attempted to exempt itself from the law, arguing in a filing with New York’s Public Service Commission that it served fewer than 20,000 households in the state and that the $15 price point would result in an “unreasonable” 87.5% revenue reduction. However, the company has now reversed course and decided to comply.
The new plan mirrors Starlink’s Residential Lite service, which was introduced nationwide earlier this year for $80 per month with speeds ranging from 40 to 130Mbps. In contrast, Starlink’s standard $120 residential tier boasts median download speeds of 104Mbps in the U.S., according to Q1 2025 data from Ookla. Despite these improvements, Starlink’s overall performance still falls short of the FCC’s broadband minimums of 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds.
To access the $15 plan, New York residents must first order the Residential Lite plan on Starlink.com and purchase the $349 standard Starlink V4 dish, as the affordable plan does not waive the hardware cost. After placing the order, customers need to submit a support ticket with “New York Affordable Broadband Act” as the subject, attaching documentation proving enrollment in a qualifying assistance program. SpaceX’s support team will review the submission and, if approved, enroll the customer in the discounted plan. The company advises against submitting multiple tickets to avoid delays.
This development comes as SpaceX ramps up efforts to attract more U.S. customers, offering discounts and even free Starlink dishes in some cases. Meanwhile, the New York law has already impacted other providers—AT&T discontinued its 5G Internet Air service in the state in January, citing compliance challenges. For now, SpaceX’s affordable plan offers a critical lifeline for low-income New Yorkers seeking reliable internet access, though the upfront hardware cost and enrollment process may still pose barriers.
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