In Section 706 NOI, FCC Seeks Input On Changing 'Broadband' Definition

摘要

The FCC has launched its 10th statutorily mandated inquiry into whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion by seeking input on, among other things, possible new benchmarks for that capability. In its 10th broadband progress notice of inquiry (NOI) - also called a section 706 NOI after the advanced telecommunications capability provisions of the 1996 Telecommunications Act that mandate the reports - the FCC asks whether it should modify its current 4 megabit per second downstream/1Mbps upstream benchmark for broadband; whether it should add benchmarks for latency and data usage allowances; whether it should adopt separate benchmarks for fixed and mobile services; whether it should adopt higher benchmarks for schools and libraries; and whether it should adopt "forward-looking benchmarks" for speeds to be made available by some future date.