Looking back at a historic year for broadband
by Chris McGovern, Director, Research Development
Connected Nation
Bowling Green, Ky. (December 16, 2025) - This has been a year of change for the American broadband landscape. New policies, new providers, and of course, the growing prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) in network planning have all radically changed the broadband landscape from what it was this time last year.
Some things, however, remain the same. Connected Nation (CN) is still fighting to improve broadband access, adoption, and usage for all Americans. The research we’ve conducted this year has all pointed to the continuing need for work to help close the Digital Divide.
The 100K milestone
In 2025, CN reached a milestone of more than 100,000 learners trained through our digital skills programs, developing skills ranging from computer basics to building AI prompts. In March, we released “Beyond digital access: Learning the digital skills to thrive online,” our examination of digital skills training, the types of skills Americans need in the digital world, and a look at what skills we will need in the future.
We delved into this topic because the term “digital skills” can mean different things to different audiences. Retirees, for example, may have different goals from individuals looking to re-enter the workforce, so identifying what the term means and how best to serve those who seek out training are important to us.
Of course, having these digital skills won’t help if broadband isn’t accessible. Issues ranging from device ownership, service availability, and the monthly cost of home broadband service can all represent challenges for households as they try to connect to high-speed internet.
From internet insecurity to affordability
Our report, “Stuck in the middle: Internet insecurity in rural America,” looked at rural households with on-again, off-again internet subscriptions (aka internet insecure households). We found that, many times, rural households must choose between home broadband service and other necessities like electricity, food, or medicine, forcing them to make difficult choices. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 households surveyed as part of this effort reported that they fell into this “internet insecure” territory.
Broadband costs were also the focus of our research report that we shared at the 53rd annual Telecommunications Policy Research Conference in Washington, D.C. “Exploring the cost of internet across neighborhoods in Louisville” examined in detail the prices, plans, and service availability across neighborhoods in this southern urban hub.
This study, based on data collected over multiple hours from the city’s top broadband providers, showed costs that ranged from $0.10 per megabit per second (Mbps) to more than double that in some neighborhoods ($0.22 per Mbps). We found that some of these price differences resulted from slower broadband plans offered in some neighborhoods — while these plans cost less overall, their cost per Mbps increased.
Other research looked at how Americans are using their home broadband service.
The impact of telehealth and remote learning
One important way that home broadband service is changing our lives is through telehealth. Our report, “Vital signs of satisfaction: The role of remote monitoring in patients’ perceptions of telehealth,” looked at how users of remote patient monitoring services (like remote blood pressure or heart monitors) felt about their experiences, compared with those who used other telehealth modalities like video appointments.
We explored the steps being taken by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan to ensure their school-age children have access to the computing devices and internet service they need to stay competitive in today’s digital world. “Building digital equity: Understanding the Digital Divide among children in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians” highlighted the need to improve digital access for all Americans, as well as the steps the Tribe has taken to overcome the hurdles that keep some households from connecting to broadband.
Next steps: Researching the Digital Divide
In 2026, we expect our research to remain focused on identifying ways to close the Digital Divide for everyone. Our plans include research into broadband as a social determinant of health, as well as explorations into the impact of state and federal policies on broadband access and new ways telehealth and AI will impact Americans’ lives.
We look forward to continuing our efforts to share actionable insights that will help improve broadband access, adoption, and usage for all Americans.
We hope you will join us in this work. You can learn about our latest research by following us on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Also, check out our website to see how we are working to keep communities and decision-makers informed.
About the author
Chris McGovern, Director, Research Development
Chris McGovern is the Director of Research Development for Connected Nation.
In that role, Chris works with Connected Nation staff and external stakeholders to develop research deliverables and provide critical analysis.
He uses qualitative and quantitative techniques to interpret data, formulate reports, and make substantiated recommendations based on research findings.
