The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revised the benchmark for broadband internet, increasing it from 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to at least 100/20 Mbps. This four-fold increase aims to better meet the broadband needs of American households.

The new standard will guide the deployment of high-speed internet services, impacting ISPs, federal and state programs, and consumers. It is essential for new services to meet or surpass this benchmark, as it is utilized in various federal and state initiatives, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)'s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and several Universal Service Fund (USF) programs.

Why does it matter?

The FCC's initiative is part of a broader effort to evaluate broadband deployment, affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access throughout the country. By increasing the minimum broadband speed benchmark and proposing a long-term goal of 1 Gbps/500 Mbps for the future, the FCC aims to drive improvements in internet service provision and bridge the digital divide that affects many Americans, particularly those in rural and tribal areas. This move by the FCC comes after facing public pressure to redefine high-speed broadband internet and align with the increasing demands for faster and more reliable internet connections.