2025 RVA FTTH Report

2025 RVA FTTH Report

Tulsa, Oklahoma April 7, 2025 – RVA LLC projects optical fiber will win the competition to become the leading Internet delivery method to American homes by 2030. (Dial up over copper led the market until 2006, Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) and Digital Service line (DSL) over copper were then tied until 2010, and HFC has led since 2011.)

The annual deployment of fiber to the home (FTTH) in the United States is expected to be at apex for the next five-years to 2029, with a forecast of $167 billion of Capex spent in the period.

According to Michael Render, principal of RVA and primary analyst of a new report “North American Fiber Broadband Report: FTTH Review And Forecast 2025 – 2029”, “Fiber-to-the-home was once only the dream of a few –  but has now become a perceived necessary reality to many. Consumer demand for the advantages of optical fiber is unprecedented and the industry is responding. The annual rate of homes-passed and connected are all projected to be at historical record levels, although there are expected impacts from constraints such as permitting time and workforce availability.”

Based on RVA LLC consumer market research for the Fiber Broadband Association, the market has spoken in support of end-to-end fiber versus all other Internet delivery methods. According to the latest consumer study, a total of 65% of all consumers now say they would prefer fiber if they had a choice, versus 18% Coax, and 17% for all other methods (wireless, DSL, or satellite). Because of this clear and growing preference, overall average FTTH take-rates will likely continue to increase, even as FTTH homes-passed continues to grow.

The diversity of providers is increasing. Fiber deployment is now expected from many types of service provider traditions – telecom companies, cable MSOs, private competitive providers, municipalities, rural electric cooperatives, and others. Although Tier-1 telephone companies remain the largest segment in the five-year deployment cycle, their share of FTTH homes-passed annually is forecast to continue to fall (from a high of 93% in 2006 to 43% by 2029).

Canada and the Caribbean are also expected to see continued growth, though not at the same rate.

The RVA 2025 Forecast Report is based on annual extensive research and quantitative analysis, including surveys and interviews with hundreds of network operators, vendors, and industry experts, as well as reviews of public and FCC data, and surveys of over 3,000 online consumers of all types of broadband. RVA Market Research has produced statistics and annual North American FTTH Broadband reports since 2002 and is a trusted source in the industry.

If you desire more information related to this press release, please contact Michael Render at 918-592-3100 or Mrender@RVALLC.com.  www.RVALLC.com.