AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon have collectively announced $85 billion in fiber internet infrastructure investment over the next five years, triggering what analysts are calling the most competitive broadband market in American history. For the first time in decades, millions of US households will have a genuine choice between multiple high-speed internet providers.
AT&T's fiber network now passes 28 million US locations and is adding 3.5 million per year. Comcast is converting its entire cable network to DOCSIS 4.0 β a technology that delivers symmetric 10 Gbps speeds over existing cable infrastructure. Verizon is spending $20 billion to bring its Fios fiber network to 40 new metropolitan markets.
The competition is already driving prices down. In markets where two fiber providers compete, average broadband prices have fallen 18% in 12 months. In three-provider markets β still rare, but growing β prices are 31% lower than equivalent single-provider markets.
Google Fiber's expansion (announced separately) and T-Mobile's fixed wireless internet service are adding additional competitive pressure, particularly in suburban markets where the incumbent cable operator previously had no real competition.
