FCC Takes Heat for Plan to Lower Broadband Deployment Bar Last week we noted how the FCC was trying to lower the bar for broadband deployment by declaring that 10 Mbps wireless connections are "good enough." More specifically, FCC boss Ajit Pai is trying to manipulate the standard definition of broadband from the FCC's current fixed-line broadband definition of 25 Mbps down, 4 Mbps up -- to 10 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up. The goal, to reduce criticism of incumbent ISPs, many of which have lagged on network upgrades courtesy of an overall lack of competition.

And if you're Ajit Pai and manipulate the data to imply there is no problem -- you can justify your apathy toward doing nothing about it. Needless to say, consumers weren't too impressed by the FCC's proposal. Ars Technica notes that more than 300 consumers commented on the FCC's notice of inquiry, the majority of them giving the FCC an earful for trying to lower the bar to ankle height., "Y'all are insane," Kevin Lenau of Texas told the FCC in his comment. "How can you possibly believe 10Mbps is broadband or that mobile is an alternative to broadband? Please wake up to 2017 and increase competition and decrease barriers of entry for rural area broadband." "Wireless Internet connections can in no way replace a wired broadband connection," said Daniel Hoon of Pennsylvania in his comment. "Wired broadband connections provide an always-on Internet connection with no (or very high) data caps as compared to wireless plans. A wireless plan for my family to use Internet at home would cost thousands of dollars per month versus our current payment of $75.00/month." "My service provider has a 10GB limit, so 10 or 25Mbps it really does not matter," adds William Bennett of Arkansas. "I max out my data after streaming in a few hours. Consider the percentage of people who do not have unlimited data plans in your formula for service speeds." Unfortunately, agency Pai hasn't shown much interest in listening to actual consumers, as evident by his efforts to kill net neutrality and broadband privacy rules. Incumbent ISPs like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast want to set the broadband deployment bar lower, so that's what Pai will do. Still, you can file your own (polite) comments on the FCC's latest anti-consumer effort Unfortunately, agency Pai hasn't shown much interest in listening to actual consumers, as evident by his efforts to kill net neutrality and broadband privacy rules. Incumbent ISPs like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast want to set the broadband deployment bar lower, so that's what Pai will do. Still, you can file your own (polite) comments on the FCC's latest anti-consumer effort here if you're so inclinced.







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Most recommended from 60 comments



Packeteers

Premium Member

join:2005-06-18

Forest Hills, NY 21 recommendations Packeteers Premium Member could Ajit just be an attention whore? I often wonder if Ajit Pai keeps proposing outrageous crap to feed his social media hunger.



I mean we already have a president that does this daily, so maybe it's now an agency thing.

TIGERON

join:2008-03-11

Boston, MA 7 recommendations TIGERON Member I hope Congress rips Pai a new asshole And the people suing Pai and the courts stop him dead in his ugly mug's tracks

Red Hazard

Premium Member

join:2012-07-21

O Fallon, IL 5 recommendations Red Hazard Premium Member pai are square If his donor$ included semaphore, that would be redefined as broadband. sims

join:2013-04-06 3 recommendations sims Member Re: What is "competition"? Sorry I have to ask where are you getting 25/4? All the official info i've seen says 25/3. shmerl

join:2013-10-21 3 recommendations shmerl Member In the land of legalized corruption may the public should crowdfund bribing Pai? He'll be doing the right thing then (for the right price).



Jokes aside, this whole situation is just sick. videomatic3

join:2003-12-12

Pleasanton, CA 3 recommendations videomatic3 Member Really. He's probably still getting paid by Verizon

seaquake

MVM

join:2001-03-23

Millersville, MD ·Verizon FiOS

3 recommendations seaquake MVM So sad I honestly think that lawmakers should have to eat their own dog food. If Mr. Pai is convinced that 10Mbps is good enough then he should be limited to 10Mbps at work and at home. I wonder how fast he'd changed his tune if he was limited to these speeds....and I mean an honest go of it. No typical cheats or loopholes that the DC Pols use on a daily basis. You share an office with 10 other people? Too bad, 10Mbps should be adequate for you. 6 people live in your house and they all want to stream HD video? Have fun. quisp65

join:2003-05-03

San Diego, CA ·webpass.net

·Charter

2 recommendations quisp65 Member How about some objectivity The "broadband" definition is subjective and I can imagine it's there for the purpose of regulatory influence to encourage broadband being deployed. How does this effect broadband deployment? What are the pros & cons?



I often thought Wheeler's move to 25mbps was corporate favoritism to the cable industry because DSL & other BB deployment mechanisms had technological limitations of getting above 25mbps.



IMO the area that has the most lack of financial backing to improve is the outer rural areas that are well below 10mbps. This may make sense. Who knows though... I'm open to opinion.