The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently made a significant change to the way it defines broadband internet.
The minimum speeds necessary for a connection to be considered “broadband” have been drastically increased.
This change has major implications for consumers, businesses, and the future of internet access in the United States.
What is the new FCC broadband internet benchmark?
The previous standard for broadband internet, established in 2015, was 25Mbps (megabits per second) download speed and 3Mbps upload speed.
The FCC has now announced that they have quadrupled that download requirement.
For a connection to qualify as “broadband” in today’s standards, it must meet these new thresholds:
- Minimum download speed: 100 Mbps
- Minimum upload speed: 20 Mbps
Why the change?
The way we use the internet has evolved tremendously since the previous broadband standard was set. Our increasing reliance on high-bandwidth activities makes this change a logical and timely one.
- Streaming: High-definition and 4K video streaming services are now the norm. These require significantly faster speeds than standard definition video
- Video conferencing: The widespread use of video conferencing for work, education, and healthcare necessitates reliable, high-quality connections with strong upload speeds
- Cloud computing: Shifting data storage and software to the cloud requires fast upload speeds to ensure a smooth user experience
- Online gaming: Fast-paced online games demand low latency (minimal delays) and robust connections, often requiring higher bandwidth
- Smart homes: The growing network of connected devices in our homes benefits from faster overall network speeds
For many Americans, this change might not have an immediate, noticeable impact. However, it lays the groundwork for several important benefits in the years to come.
Upgrading infrastructure to meet these new standards will be costly for ISPs. There are concerns that these costs could get passed on to consumers, particularly in areas where service is already expensive.
Expanding the reach of high-speed broadband, especially in rural regions, will also require continued investment and potential public-private partnerships.
Featured image credit: Freepik.
