New Study Finds 5G Competition Drove Cable Prices 17% Lower

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Oct 13, 2026, 10:30 ET

5G Home competition made broadband more affordable, saving American households up to $28.5 billion.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Competition from 5G Home Broadband is making home broadband more affordable for Americans, according to a new study commissioned by CTIA. The introduction of 5G Home in a market drove down cable prices 17%, saving American households up to $28.5 billion from 2023 through 2025.

Real-world data show competition from 5G-based fixed wireless access drove cable prices down by as much as 17 percent within a year after it entered a local market, saving American households up to $28 billion from 2023-2025. Competition from 5G Home is saving cable broadband subscribers about $11 per month on an average standalone plan.

"5G is bringing real competition to home broadband, lowering prices, and making home broadband more affordable," said Ajit Pai, President and CEO of CTIA. "The Administration's work to free up more spectrum will translate directly to more capacity, more competition, and more savings for American families."

The study, by James Prieger, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Pepperdine University, compares cable prices before and after 5G Home entered a market against prices in other markets. The report found competition from 5G Home lowered cable bills by roughly $11 a month on an average standalone plan. Nearly three-quarters of the savings went to households that never switched to 5G Home: Households that stayed with cable saved up to $20.8 billion from 2023 through 2025, as cable providers lowered prices to compete.

5G Home has quickly become a major broadband competitor. Nearly 17 million households now subscribe. In 2025 alone, 5G Home added 3.9 million subscribers while cable lost 1.5 million subscribers.

"Allocating spectrum for licensed use can benefit consumers by enabling additional broadband competition," said Prieger. "Keeping the current auction schedule on track and identifying new spectrum for commercial use are the most direct levers for extending the price effects documented here to more communities."

For more information and to read the full report, The Impact of 5G Fixed Wireless Access Entry on Competition, visit: https://www.ctia.org/news/new-study-finds-5g-competition-drove-cable-prices-17-lower.

About CTIA: CTIA^® is the trade association representing the U.S. wireless industry. Our members include wireless providers, device manufacturers, suppliers, and messaging and technology companies. CTIA advocates at all levels of government for policies that promote wireless innovation and investment to keep America connected and competitive. Founded in 1984, CTIA is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA