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FCC Revises Broadband Penetration Metrics

Posted by kdawson on from the end-of-a-long-running-joke dept.

joelt49 writes "Ars Technica reports that the FCC has revised its broadband penetration metric. Previously, if only one subscriber in a zip code received connectivity at 200 Kbps, then the entire zip code was considered to have broadband access. Now, the FCC will count the number of subscribers in census tracts. The FCC has also revised its definition of broadband; previously, it was anything over 200 Kbps. Now, speeds between 200 and 768 Kbps are considered 'First-Generation' broadband, and speeds up to 1.5 Mbps are considered 'Basic' broadband." Unfortunately, the FCC has decided to keep all this new data to themselves.

6 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. in addition... by ILuvRamen · · Score: 3, Informative

    And they've labeled cable broadband like 7000-8000kbps Road Runner as "real broadband." Hey here's an even better idea. For those "basic broadband" numbers, they should if people are actually getting 1.5mbps or if they're dipping into the "first generation" category in actual speeds. I don't know one single DSL provider that ever gives remotely close to what they promise as a top speed.

    --
    Google's Super Secret Search Algorithm: SELECT @search_results FROM internet WHERE @search_results = 'good'
    1. Re:in addition... by wagnerrp · · Score: 2, Informative

      My DSL line is rated at (up to) 5M/768k. My modem is currently trained at 5120Kbps/952Kbps. Speedtest just gave me 4481Kbps/777Kbps at 8ms. I've seen as high as 4500Kbps/815Kbps (as reported by MRTG).

  2. Kept to themselves BECAUSE... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Because using this new method of measuring, the US comes out level with Albania, but still ahead (though only very slighly) of North Korea.

  3. Re:How can they keep this secret? by InvisblePinkUnicorn · · Score: 3, Informative

    "Vote accordingly."

    That's the whole purpose of my discussing it here. To persuade others to vote and think accordingly.

  4. I wish the FCC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I wish the FCC required all ISPs to provide the following information, as part of some truth in advertising rule...

    Maximum RAW data speed (up/down)
    Average RAW speed off peak ours (up/down)
    Average RAW speed on peak ours (up/down)
    Average ping to first backbone on peak
    average ping to backbone off peak

    Then I could make a real broadband decision based on merits rather than the pictures of pretty people that the marketing folks decide to put on the websites.

  5. Re:How can they keep this secret? by mobets · · Score: 2, Informative

    Much like the sibling post:
    If inaccurate information about internet connectivity is used as a basis of selecting an area of residence, by the time you are using the service, it is much too late to do anything about it.

    --

    It was me, I did it, I moved your cheese