The FCC has raised the minimum speeds required to describe internet service as “broadband” to 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads, quadrupling the previous standards. The agency’s report highlights the gaps in broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas and Tribal lands. The long-term goal is to achieve 1 Gbps down / 500 Mbps up speeds. While the FCC cannot enforce speed upgrades, it can prevent ISPs from marketing their services as “broadband” if they don’t meet the new thresholds. This change allows the FCC to assess the broadband gap better and regulate broadband providers.
Some quick stats from the FCC:
- 45 million Americans lack access to both 100/20 Mbps fixed service and 35/3 Mbps mobile 5G-NR service
- Based on the new 1 Gbps per 1,000 students and staff short-term benchmark for schools and classrooms, 74% of school districts meet this goal.
Why do we care?
There are two reasons. First, as technologists, we want our use of terms to be accurate. The use of broadband has just changed, at least in the US.
Second, consider the issue highlighted in schools. 3 in 4 US school districts don’t meet the goal. Long term, as you bemoan not enough qualified technical candidates…. How will there be more without giving them the tools to learn?
