FCC kills 1 Gbps broadband goal, calls it unfair to slower technologies

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has scrapped the 1 Gbps broadband speed target established under the Biden administration. The regulator deemed the current level of broadband deployment in the United States adequate and argued that the previous goal was not "technologically neutral," as it unfairly disadvantaged slower technologies.

In 2024, the FCC raised its broadband speed benchmark to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, setting a new standard for evaluating whether network deployment is reasonable and timely. At the same time, the commission established a long-term goal of 1 Gbps download and 500 Mbps upload speeds.

The current FCC chairman, Republican Brendan Carr, proposed eliminating this long-term goal last year, leading to the change finalized on August 14, 2026. Carr stated that it is currently impossible to predict long-term technological developments and the evolution of consumer preferences. The regulator noted that comments from the cable industry group NCTA and the wireless industry group CTIA supported the FCC's arguments.

The FCC had previously indicated that the 1 Gbps target could be "unduly harmful" to technologies such as satellite and fixed wireless access, which currently cannot deliver such throughput. "Lowering standards to ensure certain technologies meet the benchmarks is the opposite of technological neutrality," the FCC said. The regulator emphasized that the current 100/20 Mbps standard remains in effect.

The decision reflects a shift in regulatory approach, prioritizing the neutrality of technology standards over aspirational speed goals. The FCC argued that tying deployment assessments to a fixed high-speed target could discourage investment in alternative broadband technologies and limit consumer choice. By removing the long-term goal, the agency aims to maintain flexibility in evaluating network buildout while keeping the existing benchmark as the primary metric for progress. Industry groups have praised the move, claiming it will allow for more diverse and cost-effective broadband solutions, particularly in rural areas where fiber and cable infrastructure are less developed.