FCC OKs new high speed Internet data collection methods

The FCC took a major step yesterday toward eliminating the digital divide in the United States.

In a unanimous vote, the commissioners approved a sweeping overhaul of they way the FCC collects and reports data on high speed Internet access across the country.

Speed Matters fully supports this move. Just last month, CWA President Larry Cohen sent a letter to the FCC citing the importance of good data on high speed Internet and urging the commissioners to enact these very changes. And for more than a year, we've been highlighting the problems with the FCC's data collection methods, including the insufficient definition of "high speed" and the lack of proper detail.

The new plan fixes many of these deficiencies. It will provide a much clearer and more thorough understanding of the current state of high speed Internet.

As FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said,

"This is really the first step toward the national broadband strategy that we so desperately need."

The improved data will not only help us determine where more high speed infrastructure is needed, but will also allow businesses to take better advantage of this crucial technology:

If not for good government data, "our economy would come to a screeching halt," said Commissioner Michael Copps...

"When companies and investors put money into e-commerce or voice over Internet Protocol or Internet video...they need to know what kind of broadband infrastructure America actually has."

Among the key reforms approved yesterday are:

• Raising the FCC's definition of "high speed" Internet from a sluggish 200 Kbps to 768 Kbps.
• Requiring the reporting of both download and upload speeds.
• Creating more refined tiers of Internet speeds, as opposed to the current use of broad categories that often misrepresent people's actual speeds.
• Requiring service providers to report more detailed connection speed data at the census-block level, instead of the zip code level.

Ironically, yesterday the FCC also finalized its latest report on high speed Internet access in the United States -- a report created using the old methodology. You can view the report here.

With the new collection rules in place, future reports should give a much better assessment of high speed Internet access in the United States.

Press Release: FCC Expands, Improves Broadband Data Collection (FCC)

Larry Cohen's letter to the FCC on data collection Internet speeds (Speed Matters)

What 'Accessible' Means (Speed Matters)

FCC approves new method for tracking broadband's reach (CNET News Blog)

High-Speed Services for Internet Access: Status as of June 30, 2007 (FCC)