More than a quarter of Baby Boomers aren’t sure if fiber internet is worth the investment, and only 8 in 10 consumers are familiar with the technology, according to a new report from software and media service company Amdocs.
In comparison, nearly half of Millennials already use fiber internet, and 43% call it a must-have.
The results of the fiber internet report were gleaned from a May 2025 survey of 1,000 general consumers.
The research was paired with a messaging road map for local providers.
How Providers Should Talk About Fiber Internet
Consumers are demanding high-performance connectivity and low-latency technology as they embrace technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and connected homes, according to the report. They care most about speed, reliability, and long-term value, and providers should hype these benefits while positioning fiber as an essential utility.
The report says fiber internet providers can differentiate by offering the following:
- Flexible pricing
- Premium service tiers
- Ultra-fast installation
- Guaranteed uptime
- Smart home integration
Learning From National Fiber Providers
Fiber internet already costs less than many cable internet plans nationwide for similar speeds but may be less appealing to customers because of a lack of bundling options, not to mention multi-year price locks and name recognition from massive brands.
Major providers like AT&T and Verizon focus their marketing on stable pricing without any hidden fees, data caps, or post-promotion price hikes. New customers get free installation and included Wi-Fi equipment.
Big fiber internet providers also offer multiple pricing tiers based on how many devices certain speeds can support simultaneously, with the highest tiers carrying benefits such as product giveaways and streaming perks, the report said. They also offer discounts if they choose the same provider for cell phone service.
Meanwhile, smaller regional providers such as Ziply Fiber offer fast speeds and bargain basement rates to new customers, but hike prices dramatically after the first few months. Like with the big players, though, most Ziply customers get free installation and equipment.
Report: Fiber Internet Adoption
In January of 2025, the Fiber Broadband Association reported that nearly 80 million homes were eligible for fiber internet as of January 2025, an increase of 13%. It meant more than half of homes were passed by at least one fiber-to-the-premises provider.
At the time, the average adoption rate was 42.5%, and providers were reporting a higher ultimate take rate compared to the year before.
How BEAD Changes May Impact Fiber Builds
Even as fiber providers struggle to convince households to sign up for service, recent changes to the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program may make it harder for fiber projects to find funding and approval.
Under new rules released by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) June 6, states have to consider lowest-cost applicants rather than following the previous rules, which had a stated preference for fiber.
Instead, the rules now favor technologies that can support the deployment of 5G and other wireless technologies.
Beyond changing eligibility, the new scoring criteria will further delay the rollout, but the NTIA has asked for new proposals within 90 days and has pledged to review them within the next 90 days.
What Providers Can Do
Summing up its report, Amdocs offered key takeaways for fiber internet providers. They should:
- Enhance consumer education by focusing on benefits
- Embrace intelligent network planning and AI-service optimization to future-proof their offerings
- Engage Millennial decision makers
- Recognize that different households have different needs
- Create better customer experiences
- Build trust through community and public sector partnerships
