If you think you’re stuck with just one choice for home internet – think again.
The expansion of fiber networks and the rise of 5G home internet have given Americans more home internet options than ever. This increased competition means better prices, improved service, and the freedom to switch providers without settling for less. The era of internet monopolies is officially over.
How Many Americans Have Broadband Choices?
At Wifi Shark, we analyzed FCC data to assess competition in the U.S. broadband industry and asked: How common is it to have multiple internet service options? The results are clear: 70% of Americans have multiple home internet options. With the rise of fiber and 5G home internet, most people now have a high-speed alternative to their local cable internet company.
Source: FCC National Broadband Map (July 30, 2024). Fiber Broadband Association (December 13, 2023).
Methodology: This study estimates the percentage of U.S. homes with access to cable internet and at least one competing high-speed internet technology (fiber or 5G). We begin with data from the Fiber Broadband Association’s Annual North America Fiber Provider Survey, which reports that 56.5% of U.S. homes are passed by fiber internet. To avoid overstating competition, we subtract 2.9M U.S. homes with fiber from Optimum, a legacy cable provider whose fiber footprint overlaps entirely with its own cable services. Assuming all remaining fiber-passed areas also have cable internet, this represents significant overlap and competition between these technologies. Next, we incorporate FCC data showing that 34.2% of U.S. homes are passed by 5G home internet, defined as fixed wireless service offering speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. To estimate the portion of 5G homes that compete with cable but do not overlap with fiber, we analyze FCC data from California, the nation’s most populous state and a representative sample of diverse urban and rural broadband conditions. In this analysis, 45.0% of 5G homes meet this criterion, translating to 15.4% of U.S. homes where 5G competes with cable but not fiber. By adding the 15.4% of 5G homes to the 56.5% of fiber-passed homes, we estimate that 71.9% of U.S. homes have access to multiple high-speed internet options, highlighting increased broadband competition.
What This Means for You
Are you one of the millions of Americans overpaying for home internet? With companies like Xfinity and Spectrum raising prices year after year, it’s no surprise that the average American spends a staggering $98 every month on home internet.
If you’re unhappy with your current provider’s prices or service, chances are you have more options than you realize. For example, many Xfinity or Spectrum customers who assumed they had no other choice now find fiber or 5G providers offering better deals in their area.
This new competition isn’t just about adding options; it’s driving innovation. Fiber and 5G providers often offer more consumer-friendly pricing, better customer service, and fewer of the headaches—like contracts, data caps, and hidden fees—that people have long associated with traditional cable companies.
It’s no wonder that fiber and 5G providers consistently score higher in customer satisfaction compared to cable companies like Xfinity and Spectrum.
Find Your Options with Wifi Shark
Check Wifi Shark to see a comprehensive list of providers in your area, including pricing and plan recommendations. We scour the web to compare fiber, 5G, and cable options so you can make the most informed choice possible for your home internet.
Switching providers could save you over $500 per year—and with Wifi Shark, finding the right option has never been easier.
