Broadband's Impact

USTelecom: Broadband Is Getting Faster and Cheaper

Gigabit subscriptions have grown fivefold since 2020 as network investment surge.

Georgina Mackie

May 21, 2026 — 2 min read

Photo from allconnect.

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2026 – Inflation-adjusted prices for the most popular broadband plans fell 6 percent in 2025 while average download speeds increased 21.9 percent, according to a report released Tuesday by USTelecom.

The group's 2026 Broadband Pricing Index found real prices for residential internet plans offering between 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) and 940 Mbps declined from $47.23 to $44.38 over the year. Gigabit plans, those offering at least 1,000 Mbps, fell 4.9 percent in real terms, from $67.41 to $64.11.

USTelecom said the largest savings came on entry-level plans.

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Broadband's Impact USTelecom 2026 Broadband Pricing Index Optimum urban rate survey Breezeline Broadband Mapping and Data

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