What is broadband?

Broadband refers to always-on, high-speed internet access and is increasingly seen as a requirement for modern life. The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) benchmark for high-speed internet is at least 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads.

Broadband speeds differ depending on peak use times (for example, right after work), number of connected devices (computers, smartphones and tablets) and the kinds of material being accessed (email vs. video, for instance).

How much speed do you need?

Internet speed	Works for
0–5 Mbps	Checking email Streaming music on one device Searching the Internet
5–40 Mbps	Streaming video on one device Video calling Online gaming for one player
40–100 Mbps	Streaming HD video on a few devices Multiplayer online gaming Downloading large files
100–500 Mbps	Streaming video in UHD on multiple screens Downloading files quickly Gaming online for multiple players
500–1,000+ Mbps	Doing a lot of almost anything on numerous devices simultaneously

Source: HighSpeedInternet.com, How much internet speed do I need?

The Texas Comptroller’s flagship publication, Fiscal Notes, has reported on Texas’ Digital Divide and Broadband Expansion in Texas.

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