Urban Broadband Gains, ACP Loss Widen U.S. Digital Divide, Says Ookla

The Facts -

Rural Broadband Speeds Lag Behind Urban Areas Despite Infrastructure Investments

The digital divide between urban and rural broadband speeds in the United States is widening, according to recent analysis by Ookla. While nationwide broadband speeds are on the rise, the improvements are primarily seen in urban areas, leaving rural communities trailing further behind.

In the broader view, Ookla reported that more states have achieved faster broadband speeds as measured by the Federal Communications Commission's updated standards for fixed broadband: 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. The number of states where at least 60% of users reach these speeds grew from 10 to 22 in 2024. However, this improvement is mainly concentrated in urban areas, exacerbating the digital divide in 32 states.

Interestingly, 17 states managed to narrow the digital divide, with rural areas catching up to urban ones. Kentucky saw no change in the gap. Despite record fiber passings and ongoing broadband expansion efforts reported by the Fiber Broadband Association and the FCC, the disparity remains pronounced. Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Missouri, and New Mexico show the largest gaps, with Washington state having a 37% difference between rural and urban broadband users achieving the 100/20 Mbps speeds by the end of 2024.

The end of the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP) could be contributing to the growing gap. This program had previously provided discounted broadband to over 23 million low-income households in the U.S., but was discontinued on June 1, 2024, due to insufficient Congressional funding. The termination of the ACP may have left rural users struggling to afford faster broadband services, impacting their overall digital experience.

For further details, you can read the full Ookla report here.

In related industry news:

– Teledyne Technologies reported a record first-quarter with net sales exceeding $1.4 billion, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year. The Instrumentation segment saw a rise in sales, boosted by high demand for marine instrumentation and recent acquisitions. “We achieved record first quarter sales, non-GAAP operating margin, and adjusted earnings per share,” noted Executive Chairman Robert Mehrabian. Despite the strong performance, Teledyne remains cautious with its earnings outlook due to market unpredictability. For more details, see the full report here.

– Rohde & Schwarz is expanding its test equipment portfolio for satellite networks, with Telesat utilizing their equipment for enhancing the Lightspeed LEO network. The company also introduced new spectrum monitoring technologies, emphasizing their commitment to providing precise test solutions. This includes the launch of the RAMON IQzoom platform, aimed at improving electromagnetic spectrum control and situational awareness. Find out more about this development here.

The Communications Regulation Commission in Bulgaria will also upgrade its spectrum monitoring using Rohde & Schwarz technology, with the installation of new antennas and monitoring receivers. More information can be found here.

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