Analysis of broadband affordability deemed "extraneous" by FCC chair.

The Federal Communications Commission is ditching Biden-era standards for measuring progress toward the goal of universal broadband deployment.

The changes will make it easier for the FCC to give the broadband industry a passing grade in an annual progress report. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's proposal would give the industry a thumbs-up even if it falls short of 100 percent deployment, eliminate a long-term goal of gigabit broadband speeds, and abandon a new effort to track the affordability of broadband.

Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act requires the FCC to determine whether broadband is being deployed "on a reasonable and timely basis" to all Americans. If the answer is no, the US law says the FCC must "take immediate action to accelerate deployment of such capability by removing barriers to infrastructure investment and by promoting competition in the telecommunications market."

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[–] 57 points 1 year ago (11 children)

Why does everything have to be so fucking political?

Faster broadband is good. Who fucking cares what political party?

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  • [–] 23 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    For rural communities to get higher speeds ISPs have to actually use the money the government gives them for increasing rural community internet speeds on increasing rural community internet speeds. If broadband is defined as "one house in the county has access to internet as fast as your grandparents had growing up" then they've already met their goal and they don't need to spend any money and collect pure profit from government subsidies.

    Biden thought that was bullshit and established policy to direct them to do the right thing. The current administration, however, is more than happy taking their checks to the back.

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  • [–] 14 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    We should not be giving private entities cash without rigid metrics and timelines. In fact, we should claw back what we've given them.

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  • [–] 17 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Why does everything have to be so fucking political?

    When will people who say shit like this wake the fuck up and realize that life is political?

    Grow up and deal with it like everyone else, fucking cowards.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    It's especially funny how Republicans are against regulations because according to them, it stifles progress and innovation. So why are they against regulations that try to force progress and innovation?

    Of course we know why, because it's all a lie. They just want more money for the 1%. How there is even a single (non-1%'er) idiot left that votes for them is waaaay beyond me.

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