The Absurdity of Broadband …the Official Speed Definition That Is

In the midst of this historic time, I sometimes lose sight of the fact that the official broadband speed definition, at least according to the Federal Communications Commission, remains at 25/3 Mbps. I’m not sure there is anything more absurd in the broadband industry than this outdated definition. Some would argue it was already outdated when it was established back in 2015, as a benchmark to measure national broadband progress. The FCC has consistently used the benchmark as a requirement for much of its legacy universal service program. That meant carriers receiving funding through various FCC sponsored rural broadband programs had to deliver service of at least 25/3 Mbps. Although exceptions were made, with some programs allowing even slower 10/1 Mbps. The much-heralded RDOF program directs funding to areas that currently lack 25/3 Mbps coverage. Many argue this relegates much of rural America to second-class broadband service. Just about everyone in the industry knows this benchmark is absurd. It’s pretty clear that the industry has moved on from this outdated benchmark. There is already considerable debate regarding what broadband should be defined as. Maybe there will never be consensus on that. But clearly there’s consensus that 25/3 Mbps isn’t it.