Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act of 2025

Summary

Expands a federal criminal statute that protects communications infrastructure so it explicitly covers "broadband internet access service." The change defines broadband as a mass‑market retail service (by wire or radio) that transmits data to and from essentially all Internet endpoints (excluding dial‑up) and lets the FCC designate functional equivalents. The amendment removes a prior phrase limiting coverage to facilities used for military or civil defense functions, names the Federal Communications Commission as the agency that can identify equivalent services, and does not add funding, deadlines, or reporting requirements.

• Broadens an existing criminal statute to explicitly cover "broadband internet access service."
• Removes a prior limitation tying coverage only to military or civil defense uses, widening scope to civilian broadband.
• Defines broadband as a mass‑market retail service by wire or radio that connects to essentially all Internet endpoints (excludes dial‑up).
• Allows the FCC to designate services that are functional equivalents of broadband for inclusion under the definition.
• Does not provide additional funding, reporting requirements, or implementation timelines.
• Contains placeholder insertions in the draft text that could change final wording.
• Likely increases prosecutable conduct related to theft, damage, or destruction of consumer and commercial broadband infrastructure.
• May create legal questions about which services qualify as "functional equivalents" until the FCC acts or courts interpret the term.