Skip to content
WNC Broadband Project Logo
Categories
FCC Internet Service Provider Internet Speed

FCC Proposes New “High-Speed Internet” Definition

The FCC is exploring an update to the broadband definition to require minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, aiming to enhance internet access quality, particularly for underserved areas.

Broadband Speed Standards
Broadband Speed Standards
  • FCC Action: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing the current broadband speed definition.
  • Proposed Standards: The new proposal suggests a minimum of 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads, up from the current 25/3 Mbps.
  • Reason for Change: The FCC Chairwoman cites the outdated standard and its role in overlooking connectivity gaps in underprivileged and rural areas.
  • Pandemic Insights: The necessity of reliable high-speed internet for work and personal life during the pandemic has emphasized the urgency for change.
  • Impact on Providers: ISPs would need to improve speeds to meet the new broadband criteria or cease advertising their service as broadband.
  • Background: The existing broadband benchmark was established in 2015 and hasn’t been updated.
  • Looking Forward: The FCC is also considering a long-term goal for broadband speeds, aiming for 1 Gbps downloads and 500 Mbps uploads.
  • Regulatory Context: This review is part of the FCC’s routine assessment as required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Cheng R. FCC Wants to Raise the Bar on Minimum Broadband Speeds | Cord Cutters News. Cord Cutters News. Published November 2023. Accessed November 4, 2023. https://cordcuttersnews.com/fcc-wants-to-raise-the-bar-on-minimum-broadband-speeds/
‌