NCTA — The Internet & Television Association
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Broadband Facts & Stats

An Internet Built for All

The internet has transformed our lives – reshaping how we learn, communicate, do business, and so much more. Fueled by substantial investment and innovation, widespread wired and wireless networks keep us connected no matter where we are. A competitive mix of fast and affordable broadband networks available across the country underscores America’s leadership in today’s global digital economy.

Most Americans Have Broadband at Home

Broadband networks can be found in nearly every community, with most Americans now connected. As the largest residential broadband provider, cable operators are committed to expanding their networks to reach the remaining unserved parts of the country.

89
%
of American homes and businesses already have access to gigabit-speed service
78
%
of U.S. households subscribe to home broadband service
85
%
of U.S. consumers give their home broadband service a positive rating
Sources: (1) FCC; (2) FCC; (3) Morning Consult

Big Investments Built a Big Network

Billions of annual private capital investment have enabled broadband operators to build and continually upgrade networks that offer gigabit speeds throughout America.

$
2.1
T
in private capital invested to build and upgrade America’s broadband networks since 19961
40
M
additional U.S. homes subscribed to broadband between 2016 and 20212
95
%
of U.S. customers have multiple choices for wired or wireless broadband3
550
K
Total miles of fiber-optic cable within cable networks nationwide4
man and woman working in a server farm
Sources: (1) USTelecom; (2) FCC; (3) USTelecom; (4) S&P Global

Broadband Prices Drop as Speeds Increase

Between 2015 and 2023, broadband prices declined as speeds skyrocketed.

Speeds
+141.5%
Prices
-81.2%
Providers' Most Popular Speed Tier
Speeds
+117.1%
Prices
-79.6%
Providers' Fastest Speed Tier
Source: USTelecom 2023 Broadband Pricing Index, Tables 5 and 7, reflecting a subscriber-weighted average of real (inflation-adjusted) prices.

Programs that Connect Us

Cable operators offer low-cost internet service, computer equipment, digital literacy training, and technology centers across the country to increase accessibility.

48
M
U.S. households eligible for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program1
14
M+
people connected through low-cost broadband adoption programs offered by cable operators2
130
K
computers subsidized by cable operators for low-income households3
Sources: (1) Center on Poverty & Social Policy; (2) Member company-reported data; (3) Member company-reported data

Broadband Speeds Are Continually Increasing

Over the past decade, both top and average broadband speeds have experienced exponential growth. In fact, U.S. average fixed broadband speeds are more than 300% faster than in 2017.

Today’s speeds deliver advanced technologies like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and 4K streaming.

205.2 Mbps
Median U.S. download speed in July 2023, up from 159.7 Mbps at the same time in 2022. The global median in July 2023 was 82.6 Mbps.
Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

The 10G Future

As we enter a new era of innovation, our networks must continue to stay ahead of demand. Cable’s groundbreaking 10G initiative, which is already being deployed, unlocks multi-gigabit speeds over existing cable infrastructure. 10G will be the backbone of a connected and more productive American future - enabling a variety of revolutionary applications across a range of industries and at home.

676
K
new jobs will be created by 10G over 7 years1
$
330
B
total economic output created by 10G over 7 years2
89
%
of American homes and businesses already have access to gigabit-speed service3
Sources: (1) Telecom Advisory Services; (2) Telecom Advisory Services; (3) FCC

Better Broadband Means More Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a regular part of broadband at home and plays an ever-growing role outside the home in transit, outdoor spaces, and smart city applications.

53
%
of US internet traffic delivered over Wi-Fi1
500
B
Internet-enabled devices expected by 20302
$
500
B
in annual economic contributions from Wi-Fi3
22
M
Cable Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.S.4
two young people playing video games
Sources: (1) Wi-Fi Forward; (2) Cisco; (3) Wi-Fi Forward; (4) Member company data
server room

America’s cable industry is a driver of innovation and creativity, contributing to the national economy and workforce.

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