Altice USA said “Economy Internet,” an uncapped broadband service for low-income households, is now available across its Optimum (former Cablevision Systems) and Suddenlink footprints.

The service, for eligible families and senior citizens, offers 30 Mbps (downstream) and integrated in-home WiFi for $14.99 per month.

Altice USA launched Economy Internet is select areas of the New York region late last year, and was linked to a commitment to introduce a low income broadband option throughout the former Cablevision service territory.

RELATED: Altice USA Bows Low-Cost 30-Meg Broadband Service

Altice USA said the expansion to the Suddenlink territories goes beyond its public interest commitment linked to the acquisition of Cablevision Systems.

The no-contract offer is available to new internet customers in Altice USA’s footprint who qualify for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and senior citizens who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

“As the internet becomes increasingly important for education and accessing critical information and services, Altice USA is pleased to expand our low-cost broadband service to connect even more families and seniors across our U.S. footprint,” Dexter Goei, Altice USA’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “We remain committed to supporting programs that help bridge the digital divide within our local communities, and ensuring that consumers across the country have access to affordable internet connectivity is a major step in reaching that goal.”

Pushing ahead on a pledge tied to its acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, Charter Communications has launched a standalone, low-cost broadband service for qualified seniors and families that costs $14.99 per month.

The uncapped, contract-free offering, called Spectrum Internet Assist, delivers 30 Mbps downstream by 4 Mbps upstream, speeds that exceed the FCC’s current definition of wireline  “broadband”  -- 25 Mbps down by 3 Mbps up. Those customers can also add in-home WiFi through Charter for an additional $5 per month.

Qualified customers (families with students that participate in the National School Lunch Program and seniors 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income program benefits) can also bundle other Charter services. A triple-play under the program that includes phone and TV, starts at $74.97.

While prospective customers for the program can’t have had a broadband subscription from the operator within 60 days of signing up, they likewise won’t be denied the offering due to a bad credit score. However, they must clear any outstanding debt incurred within the last year with Charter, Time Warner Cable or Bright House Networks in order to be eligible.

Charter is initially offering Spectrum Internet Assist in its legacy service area, and expects to make it available across its remaining footprint by mid-2017.

Charter detailed the plan in December 2015, announcing it would launch a broadband service for low-income customers within six months of its proposed acquisitions of TWC and BHN. Charter closed the deal in May. The FCC included the low-cost broadband provision in the transaction's order.

“Charter is excited to bring a whole new world of digital access and opportunity to hundreds of thousands of low income families and seniors. Spectrum Internet Assist is an important next step in providing true high-speed connections to those who would otherwise continue to face digital inequality in this country,” Tom Rutledge, chairman and CEO of Charter, said in a statement.

The launch also drew praise from The National Urban League, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), NOBEL Women, and The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council.

Other MSOs have launched similar high-speed Internet options for low-income families. Those from Cox Communications (Connect2Compete) and Comcast (Internet Essentials) currently offer max downstream speeds of 10 Mbps, but cost less to homes that qualify -- $9.95 per month.

Charter Communications announced a new low-cost broadband service for low-income customers that the MSO pledged to offer within six months of the close of its proposed acquisitions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.  

The service, which will be offered across Charter’s footprint within three years of close, will deliver speeds of up to 30 Mbps downstream and 4 Mbps upstream for  $14.99 per month. The speeds happen to exceed  FCC’s current definition of wireline  “broadband”  -- 25 Mbps down by 3 Mbps up.

Other MSOs have launched similar high-speed Internet options for low-income families. Those from Cox Communications (Connect2Compete) and Comcast (Internet Essentials) currently offer max downstream speeds of 10 Mbps, but cost less to homes that qualify -- $9.95 per month. The Cox and Comcast programs also provide free WiFi routers, and Comcast’s provides access to discounted computer equipment (less than $150).

Charter, meanwhile, will hang its hat on  faster speeds through its $14.99 per month program, which is targeted to families with students who participate in the National School Lunch Program, and seniors who are 65 years and older who receive Supplemental Security Income program benefits. Additionally, enrollees can’t have had a Charter, TWC, or BHN broadband subscription within 60 days of signing up. Eligible participants won’t need to undergo a credit check, but must clear any bad debt with the three MSOs.

In addition to the 30/4 service and a free modem and self-install kit, Charter’s low-cost option for eligible subs will also be in line to receive “promotional” video and phone service bundle offerings.

"Recognizing the central role broadband plays in our daily lives and the economic challenges faced by many Americans today, we look forward to launching this offering that will provide more consumers a superior broadband service," Tom Rutledge, president and CEO of Charter, said in a statement.  "Our industry-leading low-cost broadband service is just one of the many benefits these transactions will bring to our customers. We look forward to providing this superior broadband service to underserved families and seniors throughout Charter's footprint."

Charter’s plan drew praise from Public Knowledge, a group that is scrutinizing the proposed deals.

"Although we still have significant concerns about Charter's proposed merger with Time Warner Cable, we also recognize that some of the commitments that Charter has made could serve as a model for the rest of the cable and broadband industry,” said John Bergmayer, senior staff attorney with Public Knowledge, in a statement. “For example, its commitment not to impose data caps on its users. Similarly, Charter's effort to make it easier for low-income seniors and families with children to access broadband service has many good attributes, including fast broadband speeds. In conjunction with a modernized Lifeline program, Charter's proposal can help the nation achieve universal affordable access."

In its announcement, Charter rallied support from leaders with several organizations, including the  National Urban League, National Action Network, League of United Latin American Citizens,  The National Hispanic Media Coalition, California School Boards Association, Connected Nation, Digital Divide Partners LLC, NOBEL Women’s Initiative, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC).