Industry Urges FCC to Focus on Deployment Not Speed in Section 706 Inquiry

Industry groups continued to disagree on whether the FCC should include an assessment of broadband speed benchmarks and higher speed goals in its annual report to Congress about the state of broadband deployment and competition. At issue is Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's proposal in the agency's notice of inquiry to increase the definition of broadband to 100/20 Mbps with a long-term goal of reaching 1 GB/500 Mbps. Reply comments were posted Tuesday in docket 22-270 (see 2312040024).

There's "no basis to expand the Section 706 inquiry to non-deployment goals that are not found in the text of the provision," said CTIA. Section 706 of the Communications Act covers broadband deployment. "The record also demonstrates that a symmetrical speed benchmark for fixed broadband service is a poor fit for this inquiry based on actual consumer usage," CTIA said. The Wireless ISP Association also opposed establishing a symmetrical speed benchmark now or a "long-term ambition to achieve specific speeds in the future." Similarly, WISPA said, this is "unnecessary and potentially counter-productive."

The record shows an "unquestionable conclusion that broadband deployment is occurring in a reasonable and timely fashion," said NCTA: A symmetrical speed standard isn't necessary because "consumer usage has always been highly asymmetrical, and that this pattern has continued in recent years." The Wireless Infrastructure Association agreed, saying there's "no compelling rationale" to adopt a symmetrical standard. Adopting a minimum speed greater than 100/20 Mbps would "obviate the more than $42 billion Congress allocated" for NTIA's broadband, equity, access and deployment program, WIA said.

Others disagreed and continued to back higher speeds. NTCA said that while 100/200 Mbps is "an important and critical step forward," consumers will "continue to need and subscribe to higher speeds." ISPs are "quite capable of achieving a near-term goal of 100/20 Mbps while also planning for progress toward a longer-term goal that keeps pace with consumer demand," the group said. Asymmetrical speeds "no longer reflect current technology offerings or consumer needs," said the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. The FCC should "regularly reevaluate both the minimum and future speed benchmarks so that those benchmarks may reflect current realities," NDIA urged. The Nebraska Public Service Commission also backed the proposed 1 GB/500 Mbps long-term goal. "But again, we suggest, like other commenters, that the commission consider a more aggressive long-term speed goal," the PSC said.

The NOI's proposals "recognize the broadband speed standards from current federal programs geared to deployment and recognize on a lagged basis the current consumer broadband consumption trends," said Vantage Point Solutions. The group also encouraged the FCC to focus on sustainability, connecting broadband deployment efforts with the USF's future. "Effective and sustainable broadband policy is one of the greatest challenges facing the commission," Vantage Point said.

The FCC should use subscription data to "assess how many fixed [broadband internet access service] options households may have," Incompas President Angie Kronenberg said in a meeting with a Rosenworcel aide. Doing so would "lead to a much more accurate picture of the true state of competitive options," Kronenberg added.