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.

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