ORLANDO--A new joint Fiber Broadband Association and RVA LLC (RVA) report called “The Status of U.S. Broadband” released during this week’s Fiber Connect 2023 reveals that 63% of all U.S. consumers, including 54% of cable users, prefer fiber over other broadband mediums.
Fiber broadband has been prioritized in the NTIA’s $42.5 billion BEAD program due to its ability to replace aging copper and coax wiring and provide future-proofed telecommunications. The consumer research study demonstrates the importance and preference for fiber by consumers as well.
As seen in earlier studies conducted by RVA, the study found that access to high-quality broadband was rated the second most important amenity in a home, only after a laundry room. Further, when respondents were asked what type of internet service the best in speed and reliability was, fiber broadband scored 2.5 times higher than the second candidate (cable).
Although cable service is almost twice as available as fiber in the U.S., among the 17% of consumers changing internet service providers in the past two years, fiber delivery had a net gain of 15 market share points, while cable delivery had a loss of 14 share points.
“These results underscore the fact that high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for any person to participate in today’s society successfully,” said Deborah Kish, VP of research and workforce development at the Fiber Broadband Association. “We’ve known how important broadband is to the U.S., and this study reveals that the preference for fiber broadband is growing wildly every year. Connecting every community to fiber will enable digital equality and raise the quality of life for future generations.”
“The Status of U.S. Broadband” annual report is built on consumer research, sponsored by Fiber Broadband Association, and conducted by RVA. The study focuses on internet use among U.S. online customers and the 2023 edition, conducted in May 2023, had a sample size of 4,000.
