Calif. Senate Supports Raising Broadband Standard
The California Senate voted 28-9 Friday to raise the minimum standard to 25 Mbps symmetrical from 6 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload under the current law (AB-1665) governing the California Advanced Services Fund (see 2004090056). Opposing SB-1130, Sen. Brian…
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Dahle (R) argued that the point of the slower standard was to focus on unserved areas first. Cover everyone before increasing speeds in places that have service, he said on the Senate floor, livestreamed from Sacramento. SB-1130 author Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D) replied, "We shouldn't settle for low speeds." The federal floor is 25/3 Mbps, which isn’t high enough, and many California communities with 6/1 Mbps can’t get funding under AB-1665, she said. The bill goes to the Assembly.