FCC Raises Broadband Baseline to 100 Mbps Down and 20 Mbps Up
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Sep 8
FCC Raises Broadband Baseline to 100 Mbps Down and 20 Mbps Up
1 articles · Updated · Engadget · Sep 8
Summary
The FCC now defines broadband as at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, lifting the federal baseline for fast home internet access.
That threshold aligns with typical household use: 100 Mbps is presented as a good minimum for one or two people, while 300 Mbps better fits larger families, remote work or frequent large-file transfers.
Major services need far less on a single device—Netflix cites 5 Mbps for 1080p and 15 Mbps for 4K, while Zoom says 3 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up can handle 1080p calls.
Rural users may still struggle to reach the new benchmark because options there often rely on 5G home internet or satellite, which generally deliver slower speeds and higher latency than cable or fiber.
Consumers comparing plans are now directed to mandatory Broadband Facts labels and speed tests, while real-world performance can still be reduced by Wi-Fi limits, older equipment, VPN use and network congestion.