Definition: broadband minimum speed

Since 1996, the FCC has defined the minimum download and upload speeds of broadband transmission over the Internet for the U.S., and the threshold changes periodically. As of 2024, not all rural and native tribal areas are able to obtain the minimum speed. See broadband, download/upload speed and Broadband Facts.

             Kbps (kilobits/sec)
      Year   Down    Up

      1996    200   200

             Mbps (megabits/sec)
             Down    Up

      2010      4     1

      2015     25     3

      2024    100    20

     Future  1000?  500?