The Evolution of Home Broadband Coverage

Home broadband and access to the internet in the USA have been on a constant rise since 2000. In the last two decades, we have seen families move from using the internet at work to having it as part of family life.

We have seen broadband go from a luxury to an accessible tool for all. The statistics discovered by Pewresearch (the source for all statistics in this article) speak volumes about how communities and families are benefitting from internet access.

By understanding how home broadband has evolved these past two decades, you can make an informed, clear decision over your network and maybe even where you live.

Internet Usage from the Year 2000

It might be hard to believe, but even as late as the year 2000, only ~50 percent used the internet. Now, it’s 93 percent.

Back then, the internet wasn’t seen as a requirement for the home, even though workplaces had taken to it. This division between home and work life meant only those with high-income jobs and those in certain professions had access to the internet daily.

The percentage of high-income families with access to the internet has barely changed, but now low-income families have just as much usage.

The graph shows that while high-income families always had access to the internet, it’s the low-income households that have seen real progress. The internet became a household tool over the years, and so more and more people needed access to it away from work.

By creating affordable, community-based ISP services, the USA has managed to provide internet to almost everyone who wants it. The fact that over 75 percent of all Americans, low-income or otherwise, have access to the internet is a great improvement from the 30 percent of 2000.

Also Read: Stop Believing Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Myths

Internet in Our Communities

This developing idea that the internet is for all families and individuals of all incomes is vital to broadband coverage. The most popular age group for home broadband is 30 – 49, the age of people who likely have young families.

These groups live in communities such as Surprise, Arizona; a community built around parks, schools, and beautiful scenery that understands the importance of broadband for these families’ work and personal lives.

The decades since 2000 have seen ISPs focus on local, stable internet for communities. This is how the US ended up with over 7000 ISPs.

With that much choice, determined not only by income but also location, workplace, and more, it is no surprise that local ISPs are an appealing choice. These companies know the area and provide service in a condensed and focused way.

Places like Surprise have public parks in every district, and multiple schools within reach of the families who live there, while still having access to shops and retail rather than being out in a suburb. This consideration put into the towns and cities of the US also concerns the internet access in the area.

Once the internet was established as this accessible, home-based network, communities in the US had higher and higher goals for their network. The next step was speed.

Where the Internet Goes Next

Fibre optics, Wi-Fi networks, and even VoIP. Benefits and refinements like this are appealing to communities across the country. With the internet more accessible than ever, simply accessing it isn’t enough to stand out.

Finding an ISP in 2022 isn’t hard, but finding one that provides you with the latest benefits and fastest speeds can be. It’s been shown in communities across the US as the internet service Surprise Farms provides; speed and capacity are vital to modern family life.

Not to mention, by using fiber optics you can establish your wireless router and be provided internet access in places that no cabled internet has ever reached.

These wireless internet solutions in places like Arizona that might have limited options are the true embodiment of the graph above, the true accessibility of the internet being given to everyone, all over the country.

By expanding fiber networks and creating community providers like this, the USA is continuing to raise the minimum result on that graph, bringing everyone into the fold equally, regardless of income or location due to the wireless nature of the technology.

Also Read: How To Protect Your VPN From External Attack?

Make Your Choice

If you are wanting to access the internet, you have more choices than ever. Even if you are looking for fiber speeds and all-inclusive deals.

Live somewhere that’s at the forefront of internet access and accessibility with a strong community ISP. There are benefits for everyone, right across the country, when you switch to a new provider.

If you make sure you examine the availability of wireless access in your area you might even be able to move somewhere you’d never considered. The country and subsequent internet access are yours to choose from.