As Americans rely on the internet for work, school, healthcare, and everyday life, affordability remains a key part of the conversation. Data shows that home internet service is delivering greater value to consumers — with faster speeds, more options, and a relatively small impact on household budgets — even as prices rise across much of the broader economy.
More speed for less
Over the past two decades, sustained private investment and innovation have dramatically reshaped the home internet experience. Consumers today enjoy far greater performance and reliability than ever before, with our industry offering internet products at all price points.
- Average download speeds are up 9-fold since 2010, increasing roughly 30% annually for over a decade, according to Ookla data. Providers’ most popular speed tiers now deliver significantly faster speeds, often at lower prices.
- By powering Wi-Fi, unlicensed spectrum is reducing congestion and helping families get better performance from their broadband connection – without paying a higher price.
Even as inflation has driven up costs across many sectors, home internet service continues to deliver more value year after year, reflecting the benefits of competition and technological progress.
A small share of household spending with big returns
For most families, internet service represents a modest monthly expense relative to the benefits it provides.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey, households spend about $75 per month on internet service — generally under 1% of after-tax income and much less than what they spend on other essential services, such as electricity.
That investment supports critical activities, including remote work, online learning, telehealth, and daily communication, making home internet an essential service that delivers outsized value.
Competition is expanding choice and access
A growing number of technologies and providers now compete to serve consumers, including cable, fiber, fixed wireless, satellite, and mobile broadband. This competitive marketplace helps keep prices stable while driving innovation and continued network investment. Access to high-speed service has expanded rapidly as a result.
According to the FCC, 96% of Americans had a choice of providers offering 100/20 Mbps or faster speeds in 2025 — up from just 18% in 2016.
Mobile competition is delivering significant savings
The benefits of competition extend beyond home internet. Cable providers’ entry into the mobile marketplace has increased consumer choice and driven down prices, particularly through bundled internet and mobile offerings.
- Bundled plans can save households up to $1,000 per year.
- In 2025 alone, consumers saved $5 billion by subscribing to cable mobile services.
- Cable is now the fourth-largest mobile provider, capturing nearly 40% of new mobile subscribers in Q3 2025.
These trends highlight how competition across connected services delivers real savings for consumers.
Affordability programs and adoption trends
Internet providers also offer targeted affordability programs to help connect families who need additional support.
- Nearly all major providers offer low-cost broadband plans, starting around $10 per month.
- Over the past decade, these programs have helped connect more than 14 million Americans.
- Our industry is committed to helping address barriers to internet adoption, including boosting digital skills, with millions of dollars invested in communities to help drive economic mobility.
Adoption data reflects this progress. According to Census Bureau data, internet adoption among households earning under $25,000 increased from 66% in 2019 to 79% in 2024.
The bottom line
While consumers face increased prices across much of the economy, competitive and affordable home internet and mobile services are delivering tangible benefits to consumers nationwide.
