Proprietary Research

The 2026 State of US Broadband

An analysis of over 40,000 localized internet markets reveals the widening gap between fiber infrastructure and rural connectivity in 2026.

For press inquiries or to request raw data for your local reporting, please contact press@citybroadbandguide.com.

Executive Summary

In 2026, the definition of "high-speed internet" has fundamentally shifted. While the FCC defines broadband as 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, consumer demand for symmetric gigabit speeds has rendered traditional cable infrastructures obsolete in major metropolitan hubs.

42%
of US households now have access to multi-gigabit fiber.
$68
Average starting price for 1 Gbps symmetric connections.
18M
Americans still lacking access to base-tier broadband.

Methodology

City Broadband Guide aggregates millions of data points from regulatory filings, provider APIs, and local speed test submissions. By filtering this data at the Zip Code level, we have constructed one of the most accurate private databases of internet availability in the United States.

To view the raw availability data for your specific region, search our location database here.