On December 1, 2023, NRECA submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it to adopt a broadband speed benchmark of 100/100 Mbps in determining the current state of broadband deployment and availability. The FCC issues its 706 report annually in order to take a fresh look at the standards it uses to determine “advanced telecommunications capability. In this “Notice of Inquiry," the Commission proposed to raise the current 25/3 Mbps benchmark to 100/20 Mbps.
While acknowledging the increase as a step forward, NRECA argued that the proposed 100/20 Mbps standard is inadequate to equitably serve the needs of rural America. NRECA further cited the great success of electric cooperative broadband deployments to very high-cost areas as proof that cutting-edge broadband service is achievable in rural America.
