Broadband Performance Testing
To ensure recipients of high-cost support are meeting their service obligations, the FCC established a uniform framework for measuring the speed and latency performance of fixed voice and broadband services. Providers are required to submit testing results as part of their annual compliance certification. Carriers that do not comply with the speed and latency requirements will be subject to a reduction in support, commensurate with their level of noncompliance.
Broadband performance testing is required for recipients of the Connect America Fund high-cost universal service support, including:
- price cap carriers accepting model-based CAF Phase II support;
- rate-of-return carriers, including Alternative Connect America Cost Model and CAF BLS recipients;
- rural broadband experiment support recipients;
- Alaska Plan carriers; and
- CAF Phase II auction winners.
Performance testing is also required for Enhanced Alternative Connect Cost Model participants. Pretesting begins on Jan. 1, 2026 (see EA-CAM orders listed below).
Washington, D.C. activity
08.30.23 – WCB releases an order with further details regarding Enhanced A-CAM carriers’ performance measures testing requirements.
07.24.23 – FCC releases the Enhanced A-CAM report and order noting EA-CAM carriers will remain subject to the same performance testing requirements as all high-cost support recipients.
10.31.19 – FCC releases order on reconsideration on CAF testing procedures and performance measures.