Survey Shows Small Broadband Providers Driving Higher Internet Speeds, Adoption in Rural America Even as Significant Challenges Remain

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Even in the face of persistent challenges, the nation's independent broadband providers continue to lead the charge in driving deployment of higher Internet speeds and greater adoption of broadband services in rural communities, according to a new survey by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association.

The "NTCA 2018 Broadband/Internet Availability Survey Report" found that NTCA members continue to take substantial steps to replace aging copper networks with fiber connectivity where possible. In turn, broadband speeds made available by NTCA members have increased, with more than 70% of survey respondents' customers having access to 25 Mbps or higher speeds.

The survey results similarly demonstrate gains in rural adoption of better broadband services, with nearly 40% of respondents' customers purchasing broadband at 25 Mbps or higher speeds—up from less than 24% in a similar 2016 survey. Almost 16% of respondents' customers now subscribe to services with speeds of 100 Mbps or greater.

Other noteworthy results of the survey include:

• Despite their significant progress, the challenges of network deployment and ongoing operations in rural areas still hinder smaller carriers' efforts to deliver higher-speed broadband to many rural residents and businesses in high-cost rural markets. Regulatory and economic concerns were cited as primary challenges, with nearly 30% of survey respondents' customers still lacking access to 25 Mbps broadband service.
• NTCA members provide critically important, higher-capacity broadband service to nearly all anchor institutions in their communities, including schools, hospitals, and public libraries.
• Video service is perceived as increasingly important to consumers, yet companies face significant barriers in offering it to their customers. Nearly all respondents pointed to programming costs as a barrier in providing this service; similarly, those considering discontinuing video service attributed this decision to increased programming costs.

"Clearly NTCA members have made great strides in driving both deployment of scalable networks and stimulating adoption of broadband services in their communities," said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. "In doing so, they have made significant contributions to the safety, health and well-being of their customers. Although much work remains to be done to advance and sustain broadband in rural America, NTCA members have yet again proven themselves to be leaders in rural broadband and trusted, committed providers for their communities."

Thirty-one percent of NTCA members participated in the online survey in the spring of 2018. The survey comprised general questions about the respondents' current operations, competition, marketing efforts and current and planned fiber deployment. The full report is available online.

About NTCA

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.

Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]

SOURCE NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association

Related Links

https://www.ntca.org