As it is known, the current broadband internet speed is 25Mbps download / 3Mbps upload. According to FCC Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel, the minimum available broadband internet speed is extremely slow; In the opinion that 100Mbps / 20 Mbps speeds should be reached.
Broadband internet speed standard rising
The FCC Chairman has issued a statement of inquiry asking for public opinion on whether speeds should be increased to 20 mbps on upload, 100 mbps on download, which defines minimum speeds for broadband among his colleagues. This will be an increase over the current minimum speed adopted in 2015, which defines broadband as a service providing 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
The proposed 100Mbps/20Mbps standard is the measure used in federal infrastructure investment and employment law, which provides $42 billion in funds to be distributed to states to build new broadband networks. Rosenworcel said that it is important to increase the national standard minimum broadband speed to ensure fair access to the service in terms of performance of networks created with federal subsidies.
Rosenworcel said, “Internet users’ needs have long exceeded the FCC’s 25Mbps/3Mbps speed benchmark; especially during the global pandemic that has moved so much of life online. 25Mbps download 3Mbps upload isn’t behind the times, but it’s a bad measure because it hides that low-income neighborhoods and rural communities are largely left behind and left without internet. That’s why we need to raise the minimum standard while aiming for higher speeds for the future.”
Industry trade groups representing rural telephone companies, energy cooperatives and other broadband competitors say it’s a good start. But they also want to see that the minimum standard is 1Gbps.
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