FCC INCREASES BROADBAND SPEED BENCHMARK. - https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401205A1.pdf

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docs.fcc.gov

internet archive link https://web.archive.org/web/20240316173914/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401205A1.pdf

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted its
annual assessment of whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed in a
reasonable and timely fashion across the U.S. In addition to deployment, the Report considers
broadband affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access, when determining whether
broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to “all Americans.” The
Commission’s Report, issued pursuant to section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
raises the Commission’s benchmark for high-speed fixed broadband to download speeds of 100
megabits per second and upload speeds of 20 megabits per second – a four-fold increase from the
25/3 Mbps benchmark set by the Commission in 2015.
.
The increase in the Commission’s fixed speed benchmark for advanced telecommunications
capability is based on the standards now used in multiple federal and state programs (such as
NTIA’s BEAD Program and multiple USF programs), consumer usage patterns, and what is
actually available from and marketed by internet service providers.
The Report concludes that advanced telecommunications capability is not being deployed in a
reasonable and timely fashion based on the total number of Americans, Americans in rural areas,
and people living on Tribal lands who lack access to such capability, and the fact that these gaps
in deployment are not closing rapidly enough.
.
Using the agency’s Broadband Data Collection deployment data for the first time rather than FCC
Form 477 data, the Report shows that, as of December 2022:
• Fixed terrestrial broadband service (excluding satellite) has not been physically deployed
to approximately 24 million Americans, including almost 28% of Americans in rural
areas, and more than 23% of people living on Tribal lands;
• Mobile 5G-NR coverage has not been physically deployed at minimum speeds of 35/3
Mbps to roughly 9% of all Americans, to almost 36% of Americans in rural areas, and to
more than 20% of people living on Tribal lands;
• 45 million Americans lack access to both 100/20 Mbps fixed service and 35/3 Mbps
mobile 5G-NR service; and
• 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.

The Report also sets a 1 Gbps/500 Mbps long-term goal for broadband speeds to give
stakeholders a collective goal towards which to strive – a better, faster, more robust system of
communication for American consumers.
Action by the Commission March 14, 2024 by Report (FCC 24-27). Chairwoman Rosenworcel,
Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving. Commissioners Carr and Simington dissenting.
Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, Simington, and Gomez issuing separate
statements.

 

[XYZpdq Jr.]

ps also no kiwifarms

 

[The Mass Shooter Ron Soye]

The Report also sets a 1 Gbps/500 Mbps long-term goal for broadband speeds to give
stakeholders a collective goal towards which to strive – a better, faster, more robust system of
communication for American consumers.

If that happens for a significant number of Americans, let them host their own web servers at home to actually make use of it.

 

[2ndBest]

I had gotten 1Gbps fiber at a house for a few years and it was the best internet I've ever had, when the KF had been blocked by Tier 1 providers they even switched contracts just so I could have access to the site. Once you go fast, you never look to the past.

 

[Kiwi Lime Pie]

I'm curious how much of this proposed change in broadband speed comes from the improvement and evolution of technology and how much is moving the goalposts to make it look as if too many people have internet access deemed to be "too slow."

 

[The Connected Nose]

There's gonna be some malding at Comcast over this I bet. Ditched them a while ago, but last I looked, even their 500mbps and higher tiers capped the upload at 12mbps.

Loving my 1gbps symmetric fiber connection (from a local company, even).

But also I'm sure this will have no teeth whatsoever. I remember quite well when all these ISPs were given billions of dollars to expand broadband infrastructure across the US. But instead of actually doing that, they literally just pocketed the cash and continued fucking everyone over as usual.

 

[dustbuster]

There's gonna be some malding at Comcast over this I bet. Ditched them a while ago, but last I looked, even their 500mbps and higher tiers capped the upload at 12mbps.

Comcast is facing a very tough market and has been forced to roll out much better speeds here because the locals made municipal broadband an election issue and kept chucking city councilmen until they agreed to do it.
Now there are fiber lines leased to a dozen CLECs who price war to serve up between 1 and 10 gig.