Broadband Internet

Although there is no widely accepted definition of broadband Internet, in practice, the primary focus of differentiating broadband Internet service has been on the basis of the bits of data transferred in each second. In addition, speed is commonly used as a means of evaluating the quality of broadband Internet service. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been the leading organization to propose and mandate standards for broadband Internet, with regard to both ground and mobile broadband connections. The FCC’s definition of broadband Internet speed has evolved over time due to changes in broadband Internet applications and needs. This entry provides a brief history of the evolution of the definition of broadband Internet, discusses the quality of broadband Internet services, and examines the economic ...