NCTA — The Internet & Television Association
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Broadband Facts & Stats

An Internet Built For All

The internet has transformed our lives and the way we learn, communicate, do business and so much more. Wired and wireless networks keep us constantly connected no matter where we are. Fast and affordable broadband networks are making America a leader in today’s global digital economy.

Most Americans Have Broadband at Home

Broadband networks can be found in nearly every community across America and most consumers are now connected. Cable operators are the largest residential broadband provider and continue to expand networks to reach unserved communities.

98
%
U.S. homes with access to broadband 25/3 Mbps or faster1
84
%
U.S. households subscribe to home broadband of any speed2
81.7
M
Cable broadband customers3
8.7
M+
New households connected to the internet since 20204
Sources: (1) FCC; (2) MoffettNathanson; (3) S&P Global; (4) NCTA analysis of S&P Global estimates

Big Investments Built a Big Network

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

$
21.7
B
Amount invested in 2022 on infrastructure and networks1
1.4
M
Homes with broadband availability added between 2019 and 2021 including 727K rural homes2
$
185
B
Invested in infrastructure and networks from 2012-20223
1.7
M
Total miles of fiber-optic and coaxial cable within cable networks nationwide4
man and woman working in a server farm
Sources: (1) S&P Global; (2) FCC data; (3) S&P Global; (4) S&P Global

Broadband is Affordable for All

As internet speeds have surged, the cost of cable’s broadband services has declined by 98% when comparing the price per megabit today versus 20 years ago.

$
46
Monthly quality-adjusted cable broadband price in 2020, down from $62 in 20152
14
M+
Consumers connected via low-cost broadband programs in last 10 years3
Sources: (1) FCC International Comparison Report; (2) NCTA analysis using FCC Urban Rate Survey; (3) Member company-reported data

Broadband Prices Drop as Speeds Increase

Between 2015 and 2022, broadband prices declined as speeds increased exponentially.

Speeds
+127.7%
Prices
-44.6%
Providers' Most Popular Speed Tier
Speeds
+84.6%
Prices
-52.7%
Providers' Fastest Speed Tier
Source: USTelecom 2022 Broadband Pricing Index, Tables 5 and 7, reflecting a subscriber-weighted average of real (inflation-adjusted) prices.

The 10G Future

As we enter a new era of innovation, our networks must continue to stay ahead of demand. Cable’s 10G network 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
Number of new jobs 10G will create over 7 years1
$
330
B
Total economic output created by 10G2
90%+
The path to 10G begins with the 1 Gig speeds now available to more than 90% of American homes3
Sources: (1) Telecom Advisory Services; (2) Telecom Advisory Services; (3) FCC data

Broadband Speeds Are Continually Increasing

Top and average broadband speeds have exponentially increased over the past decade. Today’s speeds deliver advanced technologies like virtual reality, artificial intelligence and 4K streaming.

226 Mbps
Average U.S. download speed in June 2022, up from 138 Mbps in March 2020. Global average is 134 Mbps.
Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

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 cities applications.

53
%
Share of US Internet traffic delivered over Wi-Fi [57% projected in 2022]1
500
B
Internet-enabled devices expected by 20302
$
500
B
Amount Wi-Fi contributes annually to the economy3
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

U.S. Broadband Competitive Versus E.U.

The U.S. outpaces Europe in broadband deployment and prices, driven by stronger private investment.

3
X
Broadband companies in the U.S. invest three times more per household than in the EU1
12
%
U.S. leads the EU in broadband deployment by 12% of speeds 30 Mbps or faster2
Sources: (1 & 2) USTelecom, US vs. E.U. Broadband Trends 2012-2019 (3) NCTA calculations based on data provided by OTI New America
streaming light

To help the public better understand how cable broadband networks are performing, NCTA members and others report key metrics.

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