FCC may re-define “broadband” as 10Mbps to reflect actual Internet usage

The Federal Communications Commission defines “broadband” Internet as bandwidth of 4Mbps downstream and 1Mbps up. But many Internet services want consumers to use more than that. Netflix, for example, recommends 5Mbps for high-definition video and 25Mbps for “Ultra HD 4K” quality.

The FCC is thus considering raising the definition of broadband from 4Mbps to 10Mbps or higher, perhaps 25Mbps. The Washington Post reported this news today, and an FCC official confirmed it to Ars.

The commission won’t necessarily change the definition of broadband upload speeds. The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau sent a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to commissioners today which asks whether broadband should be redefined as 10Mbps down and 1Mbps up or some other level. The NOI seeks comment on whether 1Mbps upload bandwidth is sufficient to accommodate demand for real-time, interactive services, the FCC official told Ars.

The Post article said in an update that the FCC will consider a minimum upload speed of 2.9Mbps.

The FCC is required by law to examine the availability and deployment of broadband every year. The NOI itself isn’t a rulemaking proposal but an information gathering tool that could lead to changes later on. After being approved by commissioners, the NOI would be put out to the public to gather comments.

The FCC last changed the definition of broadband in 2010, raising it from 200Kbps downstream. At the time, the FCC said the 200Kbps standard had been “set over a decade ago when Web pages were largely text-based.” In making the upgrade to 4Mbps down and 1Mbps up, the FCC said, “This is a minimum speed generally required for using today’s video-rich broadband applications and services, while retaining sufficient capacity for basic Web browsing and e-mail. The Commission’s standard will evolve over time.”

Changing the definition of broadband doesn’t change the actual bandwidth and quality that ISPs provide to consumers, of course. But since the FCC tracks how many Americans can and cannot obtain broadband, the change in definition would affect that number and perhaps shame Internet providers into making upgrades.

The FCC’s most recent broadband progress report, released in August 2012, said that 19 million Americans had no option to buy fixed broadband Internet service, and an additional 100 million people did not subscribe to broadband, indicating that the price was too high or they didn’t want it.