I officially no longer have broadband internet.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to increase the
definition of broadband internet from 4Mbps to 25Mbps download speed has
officially gone through.
At the new FCC standard of 25Mbps/3Mbps, triple the number of
households in the United States are now officially without broadband
internet – nearly 20%.
Internet service providers can also no longer claim “high-speed” internet if their services fall below the new standard.
The FCC discussed its plans to raise the broadband threshold earlier this month.
While major providers such as AT&T and Verizon have opposed even a
slight upgrade in broadband standards, the FCC still feels more could
be done.
“We are never satisfied with the status quo. We want better. We
continue to push the limit, and that is notable when it comes to
technology,” FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn told The Verge.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel believes the standard download speed for broadband internet should be raised to 100Mbps.
“I think anything short of that shortchanges our children, our
future, and our new digital economy,” said Commissioner Rosenworcel.