FCC's definition of broadband is too slow, US watchdog says

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends that the FCC reconsider its six-year-old definition of broadband internet to make sure it aligns with modern expectations.

"FCC officials said they are not aware of any small business requirements that have been taken into consideration in determining the minimum speed benchmark," the GAO says. "Analyzing small business speed requirements could help inform FCC's determination of the benchmark speed for broadband."

Although the GAO's recommendation is focused specifically on small businesses, consumers should also benefit from an updated definition of broadband internet access. Having a faster connection would likely improve many Americans' leisure time-streaming and downloading media is much easier over speedy connections-as well as their ability to work from their homes.

Since 2015, the Federal Communications Commission has maintained that minimum broadband speed should stay the same: 25 megabits per second for downloading files, and 3 megabits per second for uploading.

This isn't the first time the FCC has faced heat over its broadband minimums. Earlier this year a group of senators called for the agency to raise the bottom limit to 100 Mbps for both download and upload speed.

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