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# What is broadband Internet service?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/what_is_broadband_internet_service_241020090930/
- Published: 2009-10-24T09:29:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:13:45.000Z
- Description: The FCC counts broadband as data transmission above 200 kilobits per second in at least one direction, though most providers run substantially faster, and unlike dial-up the connection stays on. The agency was then drafting a National Broadband Plan due to Congress by February 17, 2010.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Miscellaneous, Health News, #vivvo-import

When it comes to [the Internet](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8043&p%5Fsid=ub6jgdLj&p%5Flva=8606&ref=foodconsumer.org), ["broadband"](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/broadband.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) commonly refers to high-speed access. The [Federal Communications Commission (FCC)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=208&p%5Fsid=ub6jgdLj&p%5Flva=8606&ref=foodconsumer.org) defines broadband service as data transmission speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per second (Kbps), or 200,000 bits per second, in at least one direction: downstream (from the Internet to the user's computer) or upstream (from the user's computer to the Internet. However, most [Internet Service Providers (ISPs)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6838&p%5Fsid=ub6jgdLj&p%5Flva=8606&ref=foodconsumer.org)[Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)](http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=dsl&ref=foodconsumer.org), [Cable Modem](http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=cable&ref=foodconsumer.org) and [Wireless (Wi-Fi)](http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=wireless&ref=foodconsumer.org). provide connections at substantially higher rates. Unlike "narrowband" connections such as dial-up, which are only on when used, broadband connections are always on. Common types of broadband connections include

The FCC is developing a National Broadband Plan, also known as the [Broadband Initiative](http://www.broadband.gov/recovery%5Fact.html?ref=foodconsumer.org), with funding from the [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8486&p%5Fsid=ub6jgdLj&p%5Flva=8606&ref=foodconsumer.org). According to the FCC, the purpose of the initiative is to make broadband available in areas with little or no broadband access, while creating jobs and providing other public benefits. The FCC must deliver this plan to the [United States Congress](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=1399&p%5Fsid=ub6jgdLj&p%5Flva=8606&ref=foodconsumer.org) by February 17, 2010\. As part of the development process, the agency is holding a series of [public workshops and web seminars](http://www.broadband.gov/workshops.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) which discuss various aspects of the plan.

Additional information on the National Broadband Plan is available on the FCC's [Broadband.gov website](http://www.broadband.gov/?ref=foodconsumer.org). This website also hosts [Blogband](http://blog.broadband.gov/?ref=foodconsumer.org), which is the official [government blog](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7902&p%5Fsid=ub6jgdLj&p%5Flva=8606&ref=foodconsumer.org) of the National Broadband Plan.

By usa.gov team