Two Decades of Data Show Fiber Broadband Reshaping American Life

WASHINGTON–(October 29, 2025)–The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today announced key findings from its latest consumer research report with RVA LLC Market Research and Consulting, titled “Encapsulating the Profound Impact of the Internet on American Life.” The report, which will be discussed on today’s Fiber for Breakfast and made available next week, marks 20 years of tracking the internet’s role in American households and highlights how broadband, especially fiber, has fundamentally changed daily life, work, health, and economic opportunity.

Since FBA began commissioning annual consumer studies from RVA in 2007, internet adoption, usage, and importance have increased dramatically. Nearly all U.S. adults now use the internet, compared to about half in 2000. The latest survey shows nearly 80% of adults consider high-quality internet to be “very important” to their household, ranking it among the most essential home amenities. As policymakers and providers invest in closing the digital divide, these results make clear that ensuring every home has access to reliable, high-performance fiber broadband is essential to supporting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity nationwide.

“Over 20 years of research confirms that reliable broadband has become as vital as electricity or water in American homes,” said Deborah Kish, Vice President of Research and Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association. “The internet has become the foundation of modern life, enabling work, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Fiber networks are the backbone enabling these experiences and ensuring our future is connected and equitable.”

The study highlights how broadband has transformed American life:

• Remote Work: 55% of employed adults report they can work from home; 26% work remotely at least 10 days a month.
• Entrepreneurship: 21% of U.S. adults operate home-based businesses, contributing an average of $19,000 annually and most often among younger, diverse, and lower-income groups.
• Telehealth: 42% have used video telehealth, with high satisfaction, particularly among younger and urban populations.
• Network Performance: Download speeds have grown over 500% in the past decade, surpassing 200 Mbps. Upload speeds have increased by more than 1500%, moving steadily towards symmetry.
• Data Consumption: Household data usage has surged since 2018—187% for downloads and 258% for uploads—driven by richer applications and greater demand for real-time connectivity.

“Fiber broadband remains the only scalable infrastructure capable of meeting these escalating demands,” said Mike Render, Founder and CEO of RVA. “Each year of study reinforces FBA’s mission to advocate for fiber access so communities can thrive economically, educationally, and socially.”

The report also revisits FBA’s early vision. In 2002, well before video streaming, remote work, or telehealth were mainstream, FBA predicted broadband would become a necessity, and that symmetrical fiber connectivity would be critical for the all-digital home in the future. Two decades later, those projections have been fully realized, and demand continues to climb.

The 2025 edition of the annual study reflects data collected from thousands of U.S. consumers and integrates 20 years of trend analysis, making it the most comprehensive longitudinal record of broadband’s impact on American life.

The results will be discussed in-depth today, October 29^th, on Fiber for Breakfast. To attend or watch the recap, click here. The full report will be available next week here. Subscribe to the Fiber Forward weekly newsletter for the latest insights and events.