Average Internet speed 56 kbps
America's Internet Leadership
By any objective measure, the U.S. is a global leader in availability, affordability and quality of the fiber-rich broadband networks that are available in nearly every community. According to the Web Index, a project of World Wide Web Foundation established by Internet pioneer Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the U.S. leads the world in how the Internet has an impact on the national economy. And when measuring the actual network speeds that are offered around the world, the U.S. is home to many of the fastest broadband regions found anywhere.
Broadband Internet networks, bolstered by infrastructure investments from cable, offer ultrafast connections that provide instantaneous access to a wealth of information and robust online services. Private companies have invested $1.4 trillion to build and maintain broadband networks since the mid-1990’s and the rate of investment shows no sign of slowing.
Americans enjoy robust competition between wired and wireless providers and entry-level pricing for American broadband is second lowest in the world. The U.S. has also long been a leader in the total number of Wi-Fi hotspots, which have become an important part of extending the broadband experience well beyond the home.
LEARN MORE: WATCH THE VIDEO
For nearly 20 years, cable has been building Internet networks that are empowering everyone from innovators and entrepreneurs to kids in the garage. The Internet propels business, education, entertainment, and so much more. It’s a platform of possibilities and the fast growing technology in history. Cable is proud of the part we’ve played in advancing America’s future. Watch the video to learn more.
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CABLE IS AMERICA’S BROADBAND LEADER
The history of broadband in America reflects rapid expansion, ongoing investment and efforts to facilitate its growth. Cable’s private sector has invested more than $245 billion in infrastructure since 1996. Notably, cable’s robust fiber-rich broadband networks are available to 93 percent of all American households and 85 percent of U.S. homes are passed by cable technology capable of supporting broadband speeds of 100 Mbps or higher. Faster speeds are driving the creation of services and apps that are opening up new opportunities. The average rate of all broadband connections is nearly 30 Mbps, nearly double the global average.
Interactive Time Line
1999-2015
THE IMPRESSIVE RATE OF BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND ADOPTION IN AMERICA
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199090
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199494
Oct
Netscape browser released – the Internet immediately became vastly more accessible
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199696
Telecom Act of 1996
Residential broadband services introduced to American consumers by TWC (OH) and TCI (CA)
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199797
18% of U.S. Households have dial-up service, 0.1% have broadband
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199999
1 million customers subscribe to cable broadband
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200101
Sept
Over 50% of U.S. Households are online, 41.2% have dial-up, 9.1% have broadband
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200202
Internet adoption at 63% of American adults
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200505
68% of Americans have Internet service
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200707
Netflix introduced Internet streaming service
50% of U.S. Households have broadband service
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200808
Comcast launches DOCSIS 3.0 service in several markets offering a 50 Mbps speed tier
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200909
Internet adoption at 79% of all American adults
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201111
Several cable broadband providers introduce 100+ Mbps tiers. Cable invests $13 billion in infrastructure.
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201212
Comcast introduces 305 Mbps.
72% of US households have broadband, 50M customers subscribe to cable broadband.
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201313
Cable broadband speeds top 505 mbs
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201414
Cable has invested $230 billion in networks and infrastructure since 1996.
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201515
2015: Cable broadband speeds reach 2 Gbps
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EXPLORE THE TIMELINE
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THE NEED FOR SPEED
FACT
500K
number of cable-provided Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide
FACT
10
U.S. states account for 10 of the top 20 regions with the fastest Internet in the world
FACT
2GB
cable Internet speeds reached 2Gbps
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