NATOA: A New, Adequate, Aspirational Definition for Broadband is Imperative

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors told the FCC that broadband service should:

1) Aspire toward and be scalable to the international standard for data communications: 100 Mbps to 1Gbps symmetrical, with scalability in the next decade to 10 Gbps, also an emerging international standard.

2) Offer consistent, high speeds capable of supporting integrated voice, video and data applications.

3) Be measured by speeds actually experienced by the end users during peak times -- not the theoretical "up to" speeds advertised by most providers.

4) Have symmetrical connections or at least robust upstream speeds to facilitate interactivity. Every person is not only a receiver of information but potentially a producer. If Americans are to be developers and creators as well as consumers, robust upstream service is imperative.

5) Ensure high reliability and low latency.

6) Enable innovation and transformative breakthrough interactive applications such as full motion HD video conferencing, real video-on demand, "virtual" education and healthcare.