When asked about "Attitudes towards the internet", most U.S. respondents pick "It is important to me to have mobile internet access in any place" as an answer. 50 percent did so in our online survey in 2025. Looking to gain valuable insights about users of internet providers worldwide? Check out our reports on consumers who use internet providers. These reports give readers a thorough picture of these customers, including their identities, preferences, opinions, and methods of communication.

37 percent of U.S. respondents answer our survey on "Most common internet accesses by type" with "Broadband (DSL, cable, etc.)". The survey was conducted in 2025, among 15,496 consumers. Looking to gain valuable insights about users of internet providers worldwide? Check out our reports on consumers who use internet providers. These reports give readers a thorough picture of these customers, including their identities, preferences, opinions, and methods of communication.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by race and ethnicity

We asked U.S. consumers about "Most used internet providers / brands" and found that "Spectrum" takes the top spot, while "Starlink" is at the other end of the ranking.These results are based on a representative online survey conducted in 2025 among 8,529 consumers in the United States. Looking to gain valuable insights about users of internet providers worldwide? Check out our reports on consumers who use internet providers. These reports give readers a thorough picture of these customers, including their identities, preferences, opinions, and methods of communication.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet

Graph and download economic data for Internet users for the United States (ITNETUSERP2USA) from 1990 to 2023 about internet, persons, and USA.

Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools, 2005 (FRSS 90), is a study that is part of the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) program; program data is available since 1998-99 at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/downloads.asp. FRSS 90 (https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/) is a sample survey that provides trend analysis on the percent of public schools and instructional rooms with internet access and on the ratio of students to instructional computers with Internet access. The study was conducted using mailed questionnaires or the option of completing the survey via the web. Principals of various public schools were sampled. The study's response rate was 86 percent. Key statistics produced from FRSS 90 were the number of instructional computers with access to the internet, the types of internet connections, technologies and procedures used to prevent student access to inappropriate material on the internet, and the availability of hand-held and laptop computers for students and teachers. Respondents also provided information on teacher professional development on how to integrate the use of the internet into the curriculum and on the use of the internet to provide opportunities and information for teaching and learning.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by community type

Approximately **** percent of the United States' population accessed the internet as of October 2025, which has been consistent since 2023. The United States is one of the biggest online markets worldwide. Social media usage in the U.S. Social media usage in the United States has seen considerable growth in recent years, with forecasted users reaching as many as *** million in 2029. By the third quarter of 2024, internet users in the U.S. were spending around *** hours on social media out of seven hours of internet usage. The most common activities among U.S. users include sending private messages and liking posts or following people, which highlights widespread engagement with social media platforms among internet users in the United States. TikTok surge in the U.S. TikTok continues to be one of the most popular social media platforms in the United States. As of October 2025, the U.S. was the next biggest TikTok advertising audience, after Indonesia. This rise in popularity is the result of users's high engagement with short-form videos and quick entertainment, in which TikTok managed to capture users’ attention. In fact, each user in the United States spent over ** hours per month 2023.

According to an April 2024 survey, 46 percent of adults between 45 and 64 years old in the United States said that if Americans used the internet less, it would have a positive effect on the country. Furthermore, 14 percent of those between 18 and 29 years old said it would have a negative impact on the country.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by age

Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools, 2003 (FRSS 86), is a study that is part of the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) program; program data is available since 1998-99 at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/downloads.asp. FRSS 86 (https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/) is a cross-sectional survey that collects and reports data on key education issues at the elementary and secondary levels. The study was conducted using questionnaires of principals. Schools in September 2003 were sampled. The study's response rate was 91 percent. Key statistics produced from FRSS 86 will gauge the progress that public schools have made since 1994 in internet accessibility and connectivity, and to explore continuing challenges in incorporating the internet as an educational tool.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by annual household income

In November 2021, it was found that Idaho had the highest online penetration rate among all the states in the U.S., as 88.6 percent of the state's population used the internet. Wisconsin and Illinois ranked second with 87.8 percent of online access in both states, while Oregon followed, with 87.4 percent.

Forecast: Households with Internet Access at Home in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Information on access to the internet and broadband subscriptions in New York City by select demographic groups, according to data from the American Community Survey.

These datasets contain measures of internet access per United States census tract and ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA) from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey five-year estimate. Key variables include the number and percent of households per tract or ZCTA with any type of internet subscription, with broadband internet, and with a computer or smartphone.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by gender

US Broadband Usage Across Counties

Utilizing Microsoft's Data to Estimate Access

By Amber Thomas [source]

About this dataset

This dataset provides an estimation of broadband usage in the United States, focusing on how many people have access to broadband and how many are actually using it at broadband speeds. Through data collected by Microsoft from our services, including package size and total time of download, we can estimate the throughput speed of devices connecting to the internet across zip codes and counties.

According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates, 14.5 million people don't have access to any kind of broadband connection. This data set aims to address this contrast between those with estimated availability but no actual use by providing more accurate usage numbers downscaled to county and zip code levels. Who gets counted as having access is vastly important -- it determines who gets included in public funding opportunities dedicated solely toward closing this digital divide gap. The implications can be huge: millions around this country could remain invisible if these number aren't accurately reported or used properly in decision-making processes.

This dataset includes aggregated information about these locations with less than 20 devices for increased accuracy when estimating Broadband Usage in the United States-- allowing others to use it for developing solutions that improve internet access or label problem areas accurately where no real or reliable connectivity exists among citizens within communities large and small throughout the US mainland.. Please review the license terms before using these data so that you may adhere appropriately with stipulations set forth under Microsoft's Open Use Of Data Agreement v1.0 agreement prior to utilizing this dataset for your needs-- both professional and educational endeavors alike!

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How to use the dataset

How to Use the US Broadband Usage Dataset

This dataset provides broadband usage estimates in the United States by county and zip code. It is ideally suited for research into how broadband connects households, towns and cities. Understanding this information is vital for closing existing disparities in access to high-speed internet, and for devising strategies for making sure all Americans can stay connected in a digital world.

The dataset contains six columns: - County – The name of the county for which usage statistics are provided. - Zip Code (5-Digit) – The 5-digit zip code from which usage data was collected from within that county or metropolitan area/micro area/divisions within states as reported by the US Census Bureau in 2018[2].
- Population (Households) – Estimated number of households defined according to [3] based on data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey's 5 Year Estimates[4].
- Average Throughput (Mbps)- Average Mbps download speed derived from a combination of data collected anonymous devices connected through Microsoft services such as Windows Update, Office 365, Xbox Live Core Services, etc.[5]
- Percent Fast (> 25 Mbps)- Percentage of machines with throughput greater than 25 Mbps calculated using [6]. 6) Percent Slow (< 3 Mbps)- Percentage of machines with throughput less than 3Mbps calculated using [7].

Research Ideas

• Targeting marketing campaigns based on broadband use. Companies can use the geographic and demographic data in this dataset to create targeted advertising campaigns that are tailored to individuals living in areas where broadband access is scarce or lacking.
• Creating an educational platform for those without reliable access to broadband internet. By leveraging existing technologies such as satellite internet, media streaming services like Netflix, and platforms such as Khan Academy or EdX, those with limited access could gain access to new educational options from home.
• Establishing public-private partnerships between local governments and telecom providers need better data about gaps in service coverage and usage levels in order to make decisions about investments into new infrastructure buildouts for better connectivity options for rural communities

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research, please credit the original authors. Data Source

License

See the dataset description for more information.

Columns

File: broadband_data_2020October.csv

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research,...

The internet service providers industry uses wired infrastructure to provide clients with internet access and related services, such as web hosting, web page design and consulting on internet connectivity. Rising internet usage has benefited industry revenue growth and government-subsidized network expansion has done the same, increasing the number of US broadband connections. A push toward broadband expansion in rural markets and a climb in demand from business customers have boosted industry revenue, which is poised to increase at an annualized rate of 4.7% to $179.9 billion in 2026, including growth of 4.5% in 2025 alone, as investments and activity mount in line with an improving macroeconomic environment. As households increasingly rely on the internet for streaming, gaming, remote work, and cloud computing, ISPs are scrambling to deliver faster, more reliable service. The rising adoption of cloud computing, which involves accessing data online, has boosted demand for dedicated internet access services, which are sold at a higher profit. With increasing demand, providers have begun launching fiber optic networks, rapidly improving connection speeds. Major enterprises that typically benefit from economies of scale also continue to bundle TV and phone, including Voice over Internet Protocol services and high-speed internet, into one service package, adopting new technology. Consolidation has swept the industry, with blockbuster mergers such as T-Mobile’s tie-up with Sprint and Verizon’s multi-billion-dollar acquisition push, reshaping market share and intensifying competition. At the same time, average broadband speeds have more than doubled, but ISPs have faced mounting pressure from cord-cutters, OTT competitors and fierce price wars, often leading to flat or declining revenues per user even as consumer bandwidth use reaches new heights. This competitive environment has led to plummeting profit. Looking ahead, the ISP industry shows no sign of slowing down. Over the next five years, fiber expansion and 5G fixed wireless will reach an even greater share of US households. Providers will continue investing heavily in gigabit networks, edge computing and advanced Wi-Fi to keep pace with the explosion in cloud computing, IoT devices and remote work. Retaining customers will hinge on delivering faster speeds, greater reliability, strong security and innovative value-added services, especially as open-access networks and new entrants threaten to erode traditional market advantages. Continued demand will lead to industry revenue growth, poised to climb at an annualized rate of 4.6% to $225.2 billion in 2031.