The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that rural customers who receive fixed broadband service from carriers supported by the Connect America Fund will have connection speeds of at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. The Commission increased the program’s speed requirements following direction from Congress that rural consumers’ broadband access should be comparable to urban areas. Beginning in 2015, the Commission will offer $1.8 billion per year to carriers to facilitate this increased connectivity. The Commission also set clear service requirements and consequences for not meeting them. CTC supports this decision and appreciates the FCC’s efforts to bring high-speed connectivity to all Americans.

Read the full news release here.