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Pennsylvania's definition of broadband hasn't changed in nearly 20 years
(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2022/06/06/pennsylvania-broadband-digital-divide-pa-legislature-definition/stories/202206040054
Headline:
Pennsylvania’s definition of broadband hasn’t changed in nearly 20 years. Experts say it desperately needs an update.
Subhead:
State lawmakers passed up a chance to increase the speeds that qualify as broadband, despite warnings that they would soon become obsolete.
HARRISBURG — Everyone in Pennsylvania has access to broadband — at least according to the definition set by state lawmakers in the early 2000s.
But ask residents of rural areas about their internet speeds, and you’ll likely hear about slow connections and outdated technology.
What happened? In 1993, the state Legislature approved a sweeping measure they hoped would guarantee universal access to high-speed internet in Pennsylvania.
As a recent Spotlight PA investigation reported, the law cut a deal with the existing landline phone companies, who agreed to make broadband available across the entire state — even in unprofitable rural areas — in exchange for less regulation and the chance to earn higher profits.
Ten years later, with the law due to expire, legislators debated whether to renew it. That involved setting themselves an impossible task: trying to predict the internet speeds of the future.
The 1993 law defined broadband as a minimum download speed of 1.544 megabits per second — blazing fast at the time. By the early 2000s, though, some industry experts warned lawmakers that the original standard would soon be obsolete.
But ask residents of rural areas about their internet speeds, and you’ll likely hear about slow connections and outdated technology.
What happened? In 1993, the state Legislature approved a sweeping measure they hoped would guarantee universal access to high-speed internet in Pennsylvania.
As a recent Spotlight PA investigation reported, the law cut a deal with the existing landline phone companies, who agreed to make broadband available across the entire state — even in unprofitable rural areas — in exchange for less regulation and the chance to earn higher profits.
Ten years later, with the law due to expire, legislators debated whether to renew it. That involved setting themselves an impossible task: trying to predict the internet speeds of the future.
The 1993 law defined broadband as a minimum download speed of 1.544 megabits per second — blazing fast at the time. By the early 2000s, though, some industry experts warned lawmakers that the original standard would soon be obsolete.
- more at link -
This failure to regulate the ISP/phone companies is more of a concern for the under-served rural areas. Those of us in the fiber-optic service areas (metro and denser suburban areas) don't have to worry so much.
