FCC Under Fire For Plan to Weaken the Definition of 'Broadband' As we noted last week, the FCC is preparing to vote in February on a new initiative that would dramatically weaken the standard definition of broadband. Currently broadband is defined by the FCC as anything capable of offering 25 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up (you might recall that ISPs whined incessantly when the last FCC set this bar back in 2015). But a new FCC proposal, lobbied for by large ISPs, would redefine broadband to include any wireless connection capable of speeds of 10 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up.

While the FCC claims this change is about efficiency, the real goal is notably more nefarious. By weakening the standard definition of broadband to include wireless connections, the FCC hopes to paint a rosier picture of broadband availability. Lowering the bar redefines what it means to be "served" by quality broadband, in turn lessening pressure on large ISPs to shore up coverage and competition gaps. If you can fiddle with the data to suggest there's no problem, you can more easily justify your apathy toward doing anything about it. Hoping to draw some attention to the FCC's latest policy handout to industry, consumer groups are launching what they're calling a "Mobile Only Challenge." The challenge encourages users to only use their mobile connection for a whole day in January, then share their experiences on social media. The goal is to highlight how wireless isn't a suitable replacement for fixed-line broadband ahead of the FCC's February 3 vote to weaken the standard definition of broadband. If you've actually used a wireless connection (particularly in rural America or smaller cities), you probably have noticed that it's often less reliable and more limited (usage caps, overage fees, throttling, restrictions on video) than a traditional fixed-line connection. In many rural markets customers are being kicked off the network entirely for using the connection as advertised. And while 5G (fifth generation) wireless should help some, 5G coverage will remain spotty for a decade, and (like 4G service) pricing will likely be high. "Americans know they cannot rely on their mobile service alone for all their online needs," the campaign notes. "People need fast, robust internet connections for everyday tasks like applying for jobs, doing homework, or streaming videos. With such low standards, the FCC would have no obligation to ensure broadband providers are building out faster internet connections, disproportionately disadvantaging rural and low-income Americans who are hardest for broadband providers to reach." There's more detail on the campaign here for those interested.







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Most recommended from 54 comments

b10010011

Whats a Posting tag?

join:2004-09-07

Bellingham, WA 32 recommendations b10010011 Member It really is the 90's again Might as well drop the definition down to 9600 baud and start mailing out AOL disks because that is where we are heading.



Loss of what little net neutrality we had and lowering of the broadband standard will lead us back to "walled garden" internet services like AOL, Compuserve, and Prodigy on dial-up.

buzz_4_20

join:2003-09-20

Biddeford, ME 26 recommendations buzz_4_20 Member Here we go again Instead of improving yourself... just move the goalposts closer and keep charging more. neufuse

join:2006-12-06

James Creek, PA 15 recommendations neufuse Member never down... The definition should NEVER go down, it should only increase over time... the people in charge are complete idiots...



If anything I'd say 40/10 should be the min now JosemicT

join:2016-09-21

Bon Aqua, TN 12 recommendations JosemicT Member This This FCC just flat out sucks.. Its more like ATT/Verizon/Comcast than the FCC... No respect to the group at all for turning its back on the citizens of this country as it has. Goldir

Premium Member

join:2013-05-23

North Platte, NE Calix 844G

10 recommendations Goldir Premium Member What year is this? 2002? 10 meg is an insult and what my old drill sergeant would call a "failure to try".



Seriously, unless you live in a rural town smaller than 500 people, the provider who offers only 10Mbps is the provider who bleeds customers. I live in no mans land, Western Nebraska and I haven't had broadband speeds lower than 20Mbps since 2003. It isn't rocket surgery, it isn't difficult technology, and the companies pushing for this lower standard are incompetent underachievers. wiggum

join:2003-05-05

Seattle, WA 8 recommendations wiggum Member So sick of all this winning Man, I sure wish we weren't winning this much.



I guess when you suck, you can still say you can dunk...on a 7 foot net. margegenever

join:2010-08-19

USA 7 recommendations margegenever Member Good to see Good to see that the FCC is finally doing something about the lack of broadband penetration! Reducing the speed requirements that define broadband will mean that more Americans will have it. ...and people say that the FCC is not doing anything to help internet in the US...

Anon11ced

@cox.net 2 recommendations Anon11ced Anon What about satellite Internet? Hughesnet currently offers 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up everywhere in the country, which is the current definition of broadband. By that definition isn't there 100% coverage? When Viasat 2 goes live in three weeks Viasat will be offering 50-100 Mbps down to most if not all of the country.