Fiber broadband deployments reached a new annual record of 10.3 million U.S. homes passed in 2024, according to a new survey from the Fiber Broadband Association conducted by LLC Market Research & Consulting (RVA).
Including homes with more than a single passing, there are now a total of 88.1 million homes with fiber in the United States, with continued growth expected over the next five years, according to the association.
The survey indicates that fiber now passes more than half (56.5%) of U.S. households. Fiber take-rates also increased slightly during the year and now reach an average of 45% (based on unique passings).
The survey says customers are faster to seek fiber service as well, with service providers now achieving their first 20% take rate much faster.
The research also found:
- The fiber industry’s inventory issues generated by COVID-era stockpiling are now resolved, with the average months of inventory estimates steadily going down.
- Among those customers churning in the past two years, fiber’s main competitor, hybrid fiber-coaxial cable, had a net loss of 33% in areas where fiber was available.
The survey predicts cable will continue to see the migration of customers to fiber, and cable providers will continue replacing their legacy plant with fiber. The 2025-2029 period could see more than a 50% increase in homes passed and more than a 100% increase in route miles to support homes passed.
“In the midst of the current broadband boom, it is encouraging to see the preference for fiber growing,” Deborah Kish, Fiber Broadband Association vice president of research and workforce development, said in the survey press release. “Fiber provides the most reliable, high-quality broadband experience compared to alternative technologies, making fiber the clear choice to connect communities and close the digital divide.”
Service providers are attempting to take advantage of the demand. Last week, GFiber announced the expansion of the availability of rolling a new suite of lifestyle-based products after piloting them in Tennessee and Alabama over the past couple of months.
