Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has formally rescinded broadband speed objectives that aimed to achieve gigabit download and half-gigabit upload speeds across the country, according to actions taken this week.
The previous benchmark, established during the Biden administration, represented a significant departure from the outdated standard of 25 megabits per second for download speeds and 3 megabits per second for uploads. That standard was raised to 100/20 in 2024, marking the first meaningful update in years. The FCC’s current decision to abandon the gigabit target marks a reversal in the agency’s stated priorities for broadband infrastructure development.
Chair Carr’s action follows through on statements made in 2025 warning of such a policy shift. The decision has drawn criticism regarding the reasoning provided by the FCC, which cited the difficulty of predicting long-term technological developments and evolving consumer preferences as justification. The decision is contained within a broader FCC broadband report that characterizes the current state of the industry positively, noting increases in speeds and competition alongside declining prices.
The timing of the FCC’s decision comes as the private sector has delivered high-speed internet services in select markets, demonstrating technical feasibility at speeds far exceeding gigabit levels in certain areas. The new FCC position contrasts with previous public discussions about broadband standards and the evolving landscape of consumer connectivity needs across different regions of the country.
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