Cable industry says you don?t need fast Internet

The cable industry’s trade association – the National Cable & Telecommunications Association – opposed the FCC action to raise the speeds in its definition of broadband. There is no reason, said the NCTA, for them to be raised; everything’s just fine the way it is.

In action this week, the FCC boosted the minimum threshold for Internet download speeds by a factor of six — from its current 4 megabits per second (Mbps) to 25 Mbps. For upload speeds, the FCC increased the speed from 1 Mbps to 3 Mbps.”

But in arguing against the change, the NCTA claimed, “there is no basis in the record for the Commission to look solely to broadband services with speeds of 25 Mbps/3 Mbps or faster.” This, they said would not be an evaluation of “advanced telecommunications capability” [that] is “reasonable and timely.” Most households don't need 4K or ultra-HD, and lower speeds are sufficient for most devices and streaming, they said.

However, the theoretical download speed of one device does not reveal consumer needs. Subscribers usually choose the fastest Internet service they can afford because it allows them to use multiple devices, and minimize waiting time online.

No wonder cable companies are among America’s most detested.

Cable industry Internet speed filing (FCC, Jan. 22, 2015)

Cable group opposes FCC change to Internet speed standards (The Hill, Jan. 26, 2015)