What If, As Rumored, the FCC Broadband Speed Definition is Lowered?

The Federal Communications Commission could vote as soon as Feb or earlier to reduce the speed required for an internet connection to be considered broadband for purposes of the FCC’s annual broadband progress report. If the FCC opts to change the definition of broadband in response to the Notice of Inquiry, it’s important to note that the changes should only impact the annual progress report and not the CAF program. 

The FCC now requires carriers receiving Connect America Fund (CAF) support to deploy broadband at 25/3 Mbps speeds in some areas and has established a CAF mobility fund that will help fund mobile broadband deployments in some areas that also receive support for fixed broadband.  The CAF program also supports 10/1 Mbps in other areas. Regardless of what the FCC does about the annual broadband report, none of that should not change. It’s also worth noting that at the time the FCC increased the broadband speed definition for the annual progress report, then-chairman Tom Wheeler pointed to statements made by one major carrier on the carrier’s own website urging customers to purchase broadband service in the range of 25 Mbps or higher if they have three devices or more that are simultaneously connected to broadband. The number of consumers connecting multiple devices to their broadband connections undoubtedly has increased since 2015.