# Plain Language Summary: Broadband Speed Act

Right now, internet service providers tell the government what speeds they're offering, but there's no reliable way to verify they're actually delivering those speeds to customers. This bill fixes that problem by requiring internet companies to prove their claims. Within six months of the bill becoming law, the Federal Communications Commission must create a rule forcing every broadband provider to submit annual reports showing real-world speed data that proves they can actually deliver the speeds they advertise. If a company gets caught lying about its speeds, it will face financial penalties.

The bill also sets a minimum speed requirement for any new broadband infrastructure built with federal funding. Any internet service built using money from the government's universal service programs—which help bring broadband to rural and underserved areas—must provide download speeds of at least 100 megabits per second. This means if your area gets federal money to build new internet infrastructure, you're guaranteed a baseline level of service rather than potentially getting stuck with outdated, slow connections.

For most people, this bill's impact depends on where you live. If you're in an area where the government is funding new broadband projects, you'll benefit from the speed requirement, ensuring you get reasonably fast internet rather than whatever the cheapest option happens to be. For everyone else, the main benefit is accountability—internet providers can no longer make inflated speed claims without backing them up with data. If you've ever noticed your internet feels slower than what you're paying for, this bill creates a system to catch and punish that kind of deception.

Broadband Speed Act

Delgado, Antonio

Broadband Speed Act This bill establishes a reporting requirement for all broadband internet service providers and a capacity requirement for providers that&nbsp;use federal funds to construct new broadband infrastructure. Specifically, the bill requires an internet service provider to report the actual speed of the broadband it provides consumers, and it establishes a fine for any provider that has willfully or knowingly provided false data about the speed it is capable of offering. Additionally, the bill requires any new broadband infrastructure built using funds awarded under federal universal service support programs to provide service of at least 100 megabits per second.