FCC Raises Broadband Speed Requirements with ISPs Must Offer 100 Mbps Downloads, 20 Mbps Uploads

In an era where internet connectivity is increasingly vital for work, education, entertainment, and communication, FCC has taken a significant step to redefine what constitutes broadband internet by increasing the minimum download speed required for ISPs to market their offerings as 'broadband.'

(Photo : Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testifies during a House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee hearing on March 31, 2022 in Washington, DC. The subcommittee held a hearing on oversight of the FCC.

Increasing Broadband Speed Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has significantly increased the minimum download speed necessary for internet services to be labeled as 'broadband.'

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are now mandated to provide speeds of 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads to qualify for this designation.

Nine years ago, The Verge reported that FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel advocated for a new threshold of 100Mbps, emphasizing its importance for the future of children, the digital economy, and society. Today, her vision is becoming a reality.

The FCC has raised the speeds required to describe internet service as "broadband" for the first time since 2015. The agency's annual high-speed internet assessment concluded that 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads will be the new standard.

The news will likely irk ISPs who would love to keep pointing to 25 Mbps / 3 Mbps speeds (the previous standards) and convincing people they're getting high-speed broadband.

The FCC's report broke down several areas where the country's online infrastructure falls short. The agency concluded that broadband isn't being deployed quickly enough to serve Americans, especially those in rural areas and those living on Tribal lands.

Affecting Communities in the US

These classifications hold significance as they enable the FCC to assess its progress in narrowing the broadband gap, determining the extent of regulatory interventions or financial investments needed to expand reliable internet access throughout the United States.

The latest findings from the agency reveal that approximately 24 million Americans still lack access to fixed terrestrial broadband service, excluding satellite connections. This disparity particularly affects rural communities, with around 28 percent of rural residents and over 23 percent of individuals residing on Tribal lands being underserved.

Moreover, the report highlights that nine percent of Americans, including 36 percent in rural areas and over 20 percent in Tribal lands, do not have access to sufficient 5G cellular speeds, defined as at least 35 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads.

While the FCC lacks direct authority to compel ISPs to increase their speeds, this maneuver represents a strategic approach within its purview. By setting higher speed requirements, it can restrict ISPs from labeling their services as "broadband" unless they meet these benchmarks.

The effectiveness of this measure hinges on whether infrastructure providers comply or resort to alternative marketing tactics to promote internet services with slower speeds.

The Commission took action through Report FCC 24-27. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, along with Commissioners Starks and Gomez, supported the decision, while Commissioners Carr and Simington dissented.