The FCC's Great Retreat: Why Gigabit Speeds Are Now 'Too Much' for America

OPINION: It is a recurring tragedy of American connectivity that every time we move toward a future of genuine high-speed access, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finds a way to slam on the brakes.

In a move that should surprise absolutely no one who has followed the cozy relationship between regulators and telecom giants, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has followed through on a threat made in 2025. As The Verge first reported, Carr has officially killed the long-term broadband speed goals established during the Biden administration. Those goals were simple and ambitious: push the country toward gigabit download speeds and half-gigabit upload speeds.

Instead of aiming for the moon, the FCC is now telling us that dreaming of such speeds is unrealistic. In a display of what The Verge describes as regulatory arrogance, the FCC justified the abandonment of these goals by claiming it is currently "impossible to predict long-term technological developments and the evolution of consumer preferences."

Let's be clear: no consumer is going to wake up tomorrow and decide they prefer a slower connection. The notion that consumer preference might evolve toward *less* speed is a farce. This is the same tired script we heard years ago from former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who clung to a dismal 25Mbps definition of broadband long after it became obsolete. While the standard was eventually raised to 100/20 in 2024, Carr is now repeating Pai's playbook with even more cynicism.

So, why the sudden pivot? While the FCC wraps this retreat in a broadband report claiming that prices are down and competition and speeds are up, the foundation of that report is shaky. Ars Technica notes that some of the FCC's insights were sourced from industry lobby groups, while research from advocacy groups was ignored.

When you look at the players involved, the motive becomes obvious. The Verge suggests the agency has been captured by industry interests that want to ensure their specific projects—such as satellite internet—don't look inadequate when measured against a high national standard. Furthermore, The Guardian has reported that Chairman Carr has been exceptionally cozy with right-wing media and the White House.

It is a bitter pill to swallow. We know the technology exists; the private sector has already delivered super high speeds in select areas. Yet, the agency tasked with protecting the public interest has decided that gigabit speeds are a luxury we simply don't deserve. Once again, the FCC has rolled over for the carriers, ensuring that the digital divide remains a permanent fixture of the American landscape.