FCC abolishes gigabit speed goal, suggesting it is unfair to slower technologies
FCC decides 1Gbps is too fast, standard must be "technologically neutral."
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided to scrap the ambitious gigabit speed goal set during the Biden administration, arguing that it's unfair to slower technologies. The agency now deems current levels of broadband deployment in the US as satisfactory. While fiber networks have long provided gigabit speeds, the FCC contends that targeting such rapid speeds isn't equitable to other, slower technologies.
In 2024, the FCC raised its broadband benchmark to a minimum of 100Mbps downstream and 20Mbps upstream, establishing these figures as the criteria for evaluating deployment. The FCC also set a long-term goal of delivering 1Gbps download speeds and 500Mbps upload speeds, viewing this as a guide for encouraging broadband deployment.
However, Republican Brendan Carr, who became FCC chairman, disliked this long-term objective and had proposed its abolition last year. The change was implemented on August 14 in the FCC's most recent broadband deployment report. The reports are required by Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act.
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