INCOMPAS to FCC: 1 Gig or Bust. Speed the Internet Up, and Boost the Economy

INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, filed comments Spet 18 at the Federal Communications Commission in conjunction with its 16th Broadband Deployment Report Notice of Inquiry (706 Comments). INCOMPAS, which has long fought to raise the current internet speed benchmarks from 25 Mbps to 1 Gigabit, says COVID has been a wake-up call to all Americans who are dependent on faster, more affordable internet for school, healthcare and working from home. “With 5G well on the way, 1 Gbps represents a sensible standard and it is time for the Commission to adopt a future-proof definition of broadband for our nation.” In terms of wireless broadband, INCOMPAS stresses what all consumers know: mobile options are simply not an adequate solution to fixed broadband connections, especially in an age of rapidly increasing bandwidth needs, multiple connected devices in our homes and businesses need to deliver robust bandwidth, privacy, and data security. INCOMPAS notes the digital divide continues to be a pressing and punishing issue for far too many Americans living in both urban and rural communities. Helping to prevent barriers to competition at the local level – including bogus duplicative taxes and fees as well as denying new builders access to poles and infrastructure are critical steps the FCC can take to facilitate fiber networks. INCOMPAS also urges a rapid and immediate better broadband solution for the 30% of Americans currently living in apartment and condo buildings who are forced into monopoly contracts.