Broadband speed qualifications increased for first time since 2015
generalize
- The FCC is increasing its broadband download speed benchmark to 100Mbps.
- The updated guidelines also require ISPs to have upload speeds of 25Mbps in order to advertise their services as “broadband.”
- New marketing regulations could hold companies accountable for increases in broadband speeds.
In 2023, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to open an additional 850MHz of spectrum in its 6GHz band. Specifically targeted at low-power devices, the goal is to allow fast transfer speeds between nearby devices. This has several companies going crazy, thinking it could vastly expand Wi-Fi capabilities. However, these types of changes often reveal an existing problem—the lack of high-speed internet in certain areas of the country. Now, the FCC is updating its policy again, and it’s doing so with these regions in mind.
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The FCC announced it would increase broadband speed benchmarks from 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload to 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. This will be the first adjustment to the standard since 2015, when it was updated to 25Mbps/3Mbps from the previous 4Mbps/1Mbps threshold.
In announcing the news, the FCC also cited data to support its rationale for the change – for example, approximately 45 million Americans still lack access to 100Mbps/20Mbps fixed services, as well as 35Mbps/3Mbps 5G mobile services. Mobile service in particular seems to be lagging – the FCC noted that 36% of Americans living in rural areas still don’t have access to mobile 5G at the minimum 35Mbps/3Mbps speeds. Generally speaking, 9% of Americans lack such mobile service. The FCC concluded that the pace at which telecommunications companies are expanding access to these resources is simply not “reasonable” and that significant gaps in coverage remain.
Marketing regulations could spur real change
While the FCC technically can’t force telecom companies to increase speeds to meet these new broadband standards, they can play a role in marketing the services (via Engadget). If a company doesn’t want to increase broadband speeds to meet new requirements, it can’t market its service as “broadband.” There is currently no timetable for when businesses will need to comply with these measures. However, if they want to continue using the term, the new measures will help internet users better understand their services.