Fiber Broadband Association releases 2021 consumer study

WASHINGTON – The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today released its 2021 Broadband Consumer Study that reveals fiber is the clear superior technology to meet broadband needs. The research, conducted by RVA LLC Market Research & Consulting (RVA), concludes that when compared to other broadband technology—including cable, DSL/FTTN, satellite, mobile wireless and fixed wireless—fiber has stronger reliability, the highest satisfaction rates and lowest cost per Mbps.

RVA consumer broadband studies have been conducted for the FBA since 2006. The data for the latest study was collected from 4,300 surveys of U.S. and Canadian broadband consumers in May 2021. This annual research provides a snapshot of the current broadband market. It includes the latest broadband technology deployment numbers, satisfaction rates and market growth rates. The FBA leverages the results to set strategic initiatives, and FBA members utilize this data to guide current and future fiber deployment plans.

This year's survey revealed several key findings that note fiber has the:

• Highest Satisfaction Rating
  • Fiber has an average net promoter score of 20% (scores of other broadband types range from -5% to -45%).
• Highest Reliability based on reported outages
• Highest Speeds and Lowest Latency based on random speed tests.
• Lowest Cost per Mbps at $0.66
  • Other technologies range from $1.00 - $6.00 per Mbps.
• Increase in value to Real Estate
  • Increasing the value of homes by 3.4%, apartment rental prices by 8.1% and apartment operating income by 15%.

Click here to download the full 2021 Broadband Consumer Study.

Fiber Broadband Association (FBA)