FCC Seeks More Input on Defining Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission is asking for public input on the best way to define the term "broadband." An understanding of what constitutes "broadband" is essential to evaluating the extent to which "broadband capability" is available, and informs the evaluation of particular policy approaches intended to ensure access to broadband capability. The National Broadband Plan NOI observed that "broadband can be defined in myriad ways," and sought comment on possible approaches.

The FCC now seeks more targeted comment on three aspects of this issue:

1. the general form, characteristics, and performance indicators that should be included in a definition of broadband;
2. the thresholds that should be assigned to these performance indicators today; and
3. how the definition should be reevaluated over time.

Comments are due Monday, August 31. Reply comments are due Tuesday, September 8.