On January 2, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association released its “2024 Broadband/Internet Availability Survey Report,” highlighting the progress in deployments and speed of rural broadband networks.
According to NCTA, survey respondents consisted of 228 holding company members, averaging 5,257 residential and 524 business fixed broadband connections currently in service. The association found that, on average, more than 76% of respondents’ customers have access to 1 Gbps downstream speeds, a 9% increase compared to 2023. Approximately 89% can receive downstream speeds greater than or equal to 100 Mbps, up 5% from 2023.
Regarding customer demand for faster speeds, over 67% of customers subscribe to 100 Mbps downstream broadband or better, up more than 7% from 2023. The survey also found that subscriptions for 100 Mbps and faster downstream services are more popular than lower-speed offerings.
Upload speeds are increasing too, with nearly 85% of customers having upload speeds of 100 Mbps or higher and 68% of customers having access to 1 Gbps upstream capability.
NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield credited the association’s members with leading the way in high-quality broadband deployment.
“Our Broadband/Internet Availability Survey underscores that not only did providers continue to offer better broadband services in 2024, but also that rural consumers are making use of these more capable services in greater numbers,” said Bloomfield in a press release. “As we look toward the future, it is critical that these efforts to deliver affordable, reliable broadband, and the foundation that supports them—the Universal Service Fund—will be sustained so that rural consumers, businesses, schools, and health care providers have the connectivity they need and rural America can continue to contribute meaningfully and efficiently to our nation’s well-being.”
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Hayden Beeson
Hayden Beeson is a writer and editor with over seven years of experience in a variety of industries. Prior to joining Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, he was the associate editor of Architectural SSL and LEDs Magazine.