According to the Leichtman Research Group, the largest U.S. cable and telephone providers - representing about 96% of the market - acquired about 605,000 net additional broadband Internet subscribers in 3Q 2019, compared to a pro forma gain of about 600,000 subscribers in 3Q 2018.
The top broadband providers now account for about 100.6 million subscribers, with top cable companies having 67.1 million broadband subscribers and top telephone companies having 33.5 million.
Findings for the quarter indicate:
- Overall, broadband additions in 3Q 2019 were 101% of those in 3Q 2018.
- The top cable companies added about 830,000 subscribers in 3Q 2019, 114% of the net adds for the top cable companies in 3Q 2018.
- The top telephone companies had a net loss of about 225,000 subscribers in 3Q 2019, more net losses than in any quarter except 2Q 2016.
- At the end 3Q 2019, cable had a 67% market share vs. 33% for telcos, compared to 64% cable vs. 36% telco at the end of 3Q 2017.
"With the addition of 605,000 subscribers in the quarter, the top broadband Internet providers in the U.S. cumulatively account for over 100 million subscribers for the first time ever," said Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst for LRG. "These top providers had about 5 million net broadband additions over the past two years, with top cable companies adding about 5.9 million broadband subscribers and top telcos having a net loss of about 950,000 subscribers."
