Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Community & Economic Development Committee
SB 5715
Brief Description: Modifying the definition of broadband or broadband service.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Sheldon, Randall and Wilson, C..
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Redefines broadband service to mean any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and Internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload instead of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
  • Removes the specification in the definition of unserved areas that the state's definition of broadband service may not be actual speeds of less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
Hearing Date: 2/22/22
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:

In 2019, the Governor's Statewide Broadband Office (SBO) was established to encourage, foster, develop, and improve affordable, quality broadband within the state to promote innovation, serve the growing needs of Washington's education, healthcare, and public safety systems, industries and business, governmental operations, and citizens, and improve broadband accessibility for unserved communities.

 

"Broadband" or "broadband service" means any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and Internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload.

 

"Unserved areas" means areas of Washington in which households and businesses lack access to broadband service, as defined by the SBO, except that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual speeds less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.

 
Summary of Bill:

"Broadband" or "broadband service" is redefined to mean any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and Internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload instead of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.

 

"Unserved areas" is redefined to mean areas of Washington in which households and businesses lack access to broadband service, as defined by the SBO, without the specification that the state's definition of broadband service may not be actual speeds less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.

 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.