Broadband Speed: FCC Should Improve Its Communication of Advanced Telecommunications Capability Assessments

The Federal Communications Commission is required by statute to assess the deployment of broadband across the US.  Although not explicitly required to do so, FCC uses its discretion to set a minimum fixed broadband speed that it uses as a benchmark. Since 2015, FCC has set this benchmark at 25/3 Mpbs. In examining FCC's six reports issued between 2015 and 2021, GAO found inconsistencies in the reported scope of the FCC's analysis of benchmark speed and its reported rationale for updating or not updating the benchmark. Without consistently communicating the scope of its analysis and its rationale for setting the benchmark, FCC's reporting lacks transparency. The GAO recommends that the FCC's Chair provide consistent communication in its reporting on how FCC determines whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed and when updating the related metrics that FCC uses to assess broadband speeds and deployment. FCC agreed with this recommendation. For example, FCC could report to the public the scope and steps of its research and analysis, the data and analysis used to support its assertions, and the rationale for why it agrees or disagrees with stakeholder comments it receives.