To Close the Digital Divide, Governments Need Future Proof Broadband Definitions

Now is time for the Federal Communications Commission to restructure its fixed broadband definitions so that they better reflect consumer demand and market realities and are more resilient to the accelerating pace of technological change. In addition, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (Broadband Commission) should lead an effort to develop globally-harmonized and future-proof broadband definitions, that do not continually relegate people in some countries to second class connectivity. Complementary, but not substitutable, mobile broadband is not the subject of this blog, but a similar assessment of its definition may be warranted.

[Founder and CEO of The Vernonburg Group. Founder of Microsoft Airband Initiative]