FCC Broadband Proposal Moves Goalposts Backwards, Lawmakers Warn

The Federal Communications Commission could "undo significant progress" toward universal broadband deployment, if it decides that mobile broadband is an adequate substitute for wireline service, a group of lawmakers warns in a new letter to the agency.

"At this time, mobile access at 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload is not a reasonable replacement for fixed advanced broadband at home," the lawmakers write. "This fact is well known to any child seeking to complete a homework assignment, small business owner hoping to develop an Internet presence, or individual completing an online job application or communicating with their doctor."

The letter was signed by 45 lawmakers, including Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota) and Jared Huffman (D-California).

The lawmakers' comments come in response to an FCC notice soliciting public opinion for an upcoming report about the state of broadband deployment. In its notice, the FCC said it it may -- for the first time -- set benchmarks for mobile broadband service. The agency proposed defining mobile broadband as service at speeds of at least 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. Wireline broadband, by contrast, is currently defined as speeds of at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.

Among other questions, the FCC sought comments on whether it should evaluate fixed and mobile broadband "as separate and distinct ways to achieve advanced telecommunications capability."

The lawmakers note that large swaths of rural Americans -- 39%, according to the FCC's 2016 report -- lack access to broadband at speeds of at least 25 Mbps downstream. They argue that an FCC decision to equate mobile broadband with wireline service won't actually improve service to rural Americans.

"Simply moving the goalposts is not a policy solution, and weakening the definition of high-speed internet is a disservice to the rural and tribal communities the FCC has an obligation to serve," they write.

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