Editing Broadband (section)

==Internet broadband==
{{Main|Internet access}}

In the context of [[Internet access]], the term "broadband" is used loosely to mean "access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access".<ref name="What is Broadband">{{cite web |title= What is Broadband? |website= The National Broadband Plan |publisher= US Federal Communications Commission |url= http://www.broadband.gov/about_broadband.html/ |access-date= July 15, 2011 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110713053907/http://www.broadband.gov/about_broadband.html |archive-date= July 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hart|first1=Jeffrey A.|last2=Reed|first2=Robert R.|last3=Bar|first3=François|title=The building of the internet|journal=Telecommunications Policy|date=November 1992|volume=16|issue=8|pages=666–689|doi=10.1016/0308-5961(92)90061-S|s2cid=155062650 }}</ref>

A range of more precise definitions of speed have been prescribed at times, including:

* "Greater than the [[Primary Rate Interface|primary rate]]" (which ranged from about 1.5 to 2&nbsp;Mbit/s) —[[ITU-T|CCITT]] in "broadband service" in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.itu.int/rec/dologin_pub.asp?lang=e&id=T-REC-I.113-199706-I!!PDF-E |title= Recommendation I.113, Vocabulary of Terms for Broadband aspects of ISDN |publisher= ITU-T |date= June 1997 |access-date= 19 July 2011 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106141554/http://www.itu.int/rec/dologin_pub.asp?lang=e&id=T-REC-I.113-199706-I!!PDF-E |archive-date= 6 November 2012 }}</ref>
* "Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access"<ref name="What is Broadband"/> —US [[National Broadband Plan (United States)|National Broadband Plan]] of 2009<ref>{{cite web |title= Inquiry Concerning the Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion, and Possible Steps to Accelerate Such Deployment Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, as Amended by the Broadband Data Improvement Act |publisher= Federal Communications Commission |website= GN Docket No. 10-159, FCC-10-148A1 |date= August 6, 2010 |url= http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db0806/FCC-10-148A1.pdf |access-date= July 12, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120106212300/http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db0806/FCC-10-148A1.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2012-01-06 }}</ref>
* 4&nbsp;Mbit/s downstream, 1&nbsp;Mbit/s upstream —[[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC), 2010<ref name=FCC15 />
* 25&nbsp;Mbit/s downstream, 3&nbsp;Mbit/s upstream —FCC, 2015<ref name="FCC15">{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-finds-us-broadband-deployment-not-keeping-pace |title=FCC Finds U.S. Broadband Deployment Not Keeping Pace &#124; Federal Communications Commission |publisher=Fcc.gov |date=2015-02-04 |access-date=2016-06-21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705185608/https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-finds-us-broadband-deployment-not-keeping-pace |archive-date=2016-07-05 }}</ref>
*50&nbsp;Mbit/s downstream, 10&nbsp;Mbit/s upstream —[[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)|date=2013-03-20|title=What you should know about Internet speeds|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/performance.htm|access-date=2021-01-29|website=crtc.gc.ca|archive-date=2021-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215150225/https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/performance.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Broadband Internet service in the United States was effectively treated or managed as a [[public utility]] by [[Net neutrality in the United States|net neutrality]] rules<ref name="NYT-20150312a">{{cite news|last=Ruiz|first=Rebecca R.|date=March 12, 2015|title=F.C.C. Sets Net Neutrality Rules|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/technology/fcc-releases-net-neutrality-rules.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313080554/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/technology/fcc-releases-net-neutrality-rules.html|archive-date=March 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="NYT-20150312b">{{cite news|last=Sommer|first=Jeff|date=March 12, 2015|title=What the Net Neutrality Rules Say|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/12/technology/net-neutrality-rules-explained.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313080607/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/12/technology/net-neutrality-rules-explained.html|archive-date=March 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="FCC-20150315">{{cite web|author=FCC Staff|date=March 12, 2015|title=Federal Communications Commission - FCC 15-24 - In the Matter of Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet - GN Docket No. 14-28 - Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, and Order|url=http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0312/FCC-15-24A1.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312200613/http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0312/FCC-15-24A1.pdf|archive-date=March 12, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2015|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref><ref name="CNET-20150413">{{cite web|last=Reisinger|first=Don|date=April 13, 2015|title=Net neutrality rules get published -- let the lawsuits begin|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/fccs-net-neutrality-rules-hit-federal-register-lawsuit-underway/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414060656/http://www.cnet.com/news/fccs-net-neutrality-rules-hit-federal-register-lawsuit-underway/|archive-date=April 14, 2015|access-date=April 13, 2015|website=[[CNET]]}}</ref><ref name="FR-20150413">{{cite web|author=Federal Communications Commission|author-link=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2015|title=Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet - A Rule by the Federal Communications Commission on 04/13/2015|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/13/2015-07841/protecting-and-promoting-the-open-internet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502021951/https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/13/2015-07841/protecting-and-promoting-the-open-internet|archive-date=May 2, 2015|access-date=April 13, 2015|website=[[Federal Register]]}}</ref> until being overturned by the FCC in December 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kang|first1=Cecilia|title=F.C.C. Repeals Net Neutrality Rules|work=The New York Times|date=14 December 2017|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-vote.html?_r=0|access-date=2018-01-11|archive-date=2018-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117153859/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-vote.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Speed qualifiers===
A number of national and international regulators categorize broadband connections according to upload and download speeds, stated in [[Mbit/s]] ([[megabit]]s per [[second]]).

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|- 
! Term !! Regulator(s) !! Minimal download<br/> speed (Mbit/s) !! Minimal upload<br/> speed (Mbit/s) !! Notes
|-
| Full fibre / FTTP/H<ref name="Ispreview">{{cite web |title=A Brief Price Comparison of UK FTTP / FTTH Ultrafast Broadband ISPs |url=https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/04/brief-price-comparison-uk-ultrafast-fttp-broadband-isps.html |website=ISP Review |date=15 April 2017 |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410150346/https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/04/brief-price-comparison-uk-ultrafast-fttp-broadband-isps.html |url-status=live }}</ref>||[[Ofcom]] || 100 || 1 ||
|-
| Gigabit<ref name="Eu2018" /> || [[EU]] || 1000 || 1 ||
|-
| Ultrafast<ref name="Ofcom2016">{{cite web |title=UK HOME BROADBAND PERFORMANCE |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/100755/UK-home-broadband-performance,-November-2016-Consumer-guide.pdf |website=Ofcom |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410150344/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/100755/UK-home-broadband-performance,-November-2016-Consumer-guide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>||[[Ofcom]] || 300 || 1 ||
|-
| Ultra-fast / Gfast<ref name="Orgfast">{{cite web |title=Ultrafast fibre Gfast |url=https://www.homeandbusiness.openreach.co.uk/fibre-broadband/ultrafast-broadband/ultrafast-fibre-g.fast |website=Openreach |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=22 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122080824/https://www.homeandbusiness.openreach.co.uk/fibre-broadband/ultrafast-broadband/ultrafast-fibre-g.fast |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Eu2018" />||[[EU]], [[UK Government]] || 100 || 1 ||
|-
| Fast<ref name="Eu2018">{{cite web |title=Broadband in the EU Member States (12/2018) |url=http://publications.europa.eu/webpub/eca/special-reports/broadband-12-2018/en/ |publisher=EU |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410155841/http://publications.europa.eu/webpub/eca/special-reports/broadband-12-2018/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref>||[[EU]] || 30 || ||
|-
| Superfast<ref name="DCMS">{{cite web |last1=Hood |first1=Hannah Hood |title=Super fast broadband |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/378588/response/924461/attach/3/296020%20Reply.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |website=What Do They Know |date=22 December 2016 |publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=22 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222060716/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/378588/response/924461/attach/3/296020%20Reply.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>||[[Ofcom]] || 30 || 1 ||
|-
| Superfast<ref name="DCMS" /> || [[UK Government]] || 24 || 1 ||
|-
| Broadband<ref name="Nbcfcc">{{cite news |date=2024-03-14 |title=FCC INCREASES BROADBAND SPEED BENCHMARK |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401205A1.pdf |access-date=15 March 2024 |agency=}}</ref>||[[FCC]] || 100 || 20 ||
|-
| Broadband<ref name="Ofcom2017">{{cite web |title=CONNECTED NATIONS 2017 |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/108843/summary-report-connected-nations-2017.pdf |website=Ofcom |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725234346/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/108843/summary-report-connected-nations-2017.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>||[[Ofcom]] || 10 || 1 ||
|-
|Broadband<ref>{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)|date=2013-03-20|title=What you should know about Internet speeds|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/performance.htm|access-date=2021-01-29|website=crtc.gc.ca|archive-date=2021-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215150225/https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/performance.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|CRTC]]
|50
|10
|
|}

In Australia, the [[Australian Competition and Consumer Commission]] also requires [[Internet Service Providers]] to quote speed during night time and busy hours <ref>{{cite web|title=Broadband Performance Data|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/internet-landline-services/broadband-speeds|access-date=2021-12-05|website=accc.gov.au|date=30 April 2014|archive-date=2021-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205144235/https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/internet-landline-services/broadband-speeds|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Global bandwidth concentration===
[[File:GlobalBandwidthConcentration.jpg|thumb|500px|Global bandwidth concentration: 3 countries have almost 50% between them; 10 countries almost 75%.<ref name="HilbertBitsDivide"/>]]

Bandwidth has historically been very unequally distributed worldwide, with increasing concentration in the digital age. Historically only 10 countries have hosted 70–75% of the global telecommunication capacity (see pie-chart Figure on the right).<ref name="HilbertBitsDivide">{{cite journal |url=https://escholarship.org/content/qt2jp4w5rq/qt2jp4w5rq.pdf?t=o7h6ha |title=The bad news is that the digital access divide is here to stay: Domestically installed bandwidths among 172 countries for 1986–2014 |publisher=Escholarship.org |date=2016-01-06 |doi=10.1016/j.telpol.2016.01.006 |access-date=2016-06-21 |last1=Hilbert |first1=Martin |journal=Telecommunications Policy |volume=40 |issue=6 |pages=567–581 }}</ref> In 2014, only three countries (China, the US, and Japan) host 50% of the globally installed telecommunication bandwidth potential. The U.S. lost its global leadership in terms of installed bandwidth in 2011, being replaced by China, which hosts more than twice as much national bandwidth potential in 2014 (29% versus 13% of the global total).<ref name="HilbertBitsDivide"/>