Even conservative Republicans like David Redl believe the pandemic proves the 20 million or so American homes without broadband need to be connected. But in Q2, AT&T reports 114,000 fewer connections and Verizon 23,000 less. Charter came through with 850,000 new homes and Comcast 323,000. 1,243,000 connections is absolutely unacceptable when children have to learn at home.
The three big phone companies have essentially abandoned consumers in large parts of their territory, leaving about half of America -- including me -- with only one choice for decent broadband. No wonder we have some of the highest prices in the world.
The data is from Bruce Leichtman, who has long been a reliable source.
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Cable Companies |
|||
|
Comcast |
29,429,000 |
323,000 |
|
|
Charter* |
28,096,000 |
850,000 |
|
|
Cox** |
5,280,000 |
50,000 |
|
|
Altice |
4,307,800 |
70,400 |
|
|
Mediacom |
1,396,000 |
47,000 |
|
|
Cable One |
838,000 |
45,000 |
|
|
WOW (WideOpenWest) |
805,600 |
8,000 |
|
|
Atlantic Broadband^ |
478,689 |
6,000 |
|
|
Total Top Cable |
70,631,089 |
1,399,400 |
|
|
Wireline Phone Companies |
|||
|
AT&T |
15,201,000 |
(114,000) |
|
|
Verizon |
6,959,000 |
(23,000) |
|
|
CenturyLink |
4,638,000 |
(29,000) |
|
|
Frontier^^ |
3,142,000 |
(41,000) |
|
|
Windstream |
1,089,400 |
22,100 |
|
|
Consolidated |
791,203 |
5,078 |
|
|
TDS |
479,500 |
19,500 |
|
|
Cincinnati Bell |
432,000 |
4,500 |
|
|
Total Top Telco |
32,732,103 |
(155,822) |
|
|
Total Top Broadband |
103,363,192 |
1,243,578 |