Internet Access Might Not be the Problem Some Claim

Though it always seems to be a contentious matter, virtually all U.S. homes have access to broadband internet access, including cabled networks, satellite providers and fixed wireless internet service providers. A significant number of consumers also prefer to use mobile networks for internet access. 

In November 2019 86 percent  of U.S. residents lived in households that have fixed network high-speed Internet services in the home, says George Ford, Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal & Economic Public Policy Studies chief economist. 

Satellite providers cover virtually the entire continental United States and some 2,000 fixed wireless providers also provide service in rural areas. 

“Almost all broadband providers offer a capable broadband connection for $10-to-$20 per month for qualifying low-income consumers,” says Ford. 

Comcast’s Internet Essentials offers a 50 Mbps service for less than $10 per month for qualifying households, he notes. 

Spectrum’s Internet Assist program offers a 30 Mbps service for $14.99 per month.

Verizon offers a 200 Mbps service for $19.99 per month.

Also, a significant percentage of U.S. consumers and households prefer to use mobile networks exclusively for internet access. Today, mobile substitution  might represent 15 percent to 20 percent of U.S. households. 

Far greater substitution is likely in the future, as mobile networks get faster and per-gigabyte prices drop to levels we associate with fixed networks. At some point, mobile speeds will reach hundreds of megabits per second, probably about the time of 6G. By 7G we might routinely see headline speeds in the terabits per second.