FCC Redefines “Broadband” Internet

The FCC is redefining the term “broadband” for the purpose of gathering statistics.  Previously, anything higher than 200kbps was considered broadband.  Today, that number has jumped to 4mbps.

The change means that T1 Service and Wireless 3G broadband is, by the FCC’s definition, no longer broadband.  In this way, the FCC can claim that “broadband is not being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion,” which is exactly what FCCChairman Julius Genachowski said earlier this week.  Critics such as Gary Kim argue that the new definition is disingenuous and is designed to create a new problem so that it can prove a new solution is needed.  Read more about the FCC’s new broadband definition here.