U.S. broadband subscriber counts continue to climb: Kagan

Aug. 19, 2021
Broadband service providers attracted approximately 945,000 new subscribers during the quarter, a figure that far outstripped performance from the second quarter 2019.

U.S. broadband subscriber adds in the second quarter of 2021, while not as robust as seen during the same quarter of last year, continued to be strong, according to Kagan, a media research group within S&P Global Market Intelligence. Broadband service providers attracted approximately 945,000 new subscribers during the quarter, a figure that far outstripped performance from the second quarter 2019.

Combined residential cable, telco, and satellite broadband subscribers in the U.S. exceeded 109.2 million at the end of the second quarter. This figure is an increase of 4.3% annually, with nearly 4.5 million net adds year over year, according to Kagan. Total U.S. wireline broadband residential penetration grew to more than 83% by the end of the quarter – 84.5% if satellite-based broadband services are included.

However, it wasn’t necessarily a good quarter for satellite-based broadband providers, as this segment lost 24,000 U.S. subscribers during the quarter, even as Starlink began to establish early momentum. On the other hand, cable operators ended the quarter in a good mood. The cable MSOs enjoyed 1.9 million residential and commercial net adds during the first two quarters of 2021, accounting for 96% of broadband customer gains across the U.S. broadband market during that time. Meanwhile enthusiasm for FTTH upgrades enabled telco wireline broadband net adds to flourish, albeit at relative magnitudes compared with cable. Telco performance showed what Kagen called “a dramatic improvement” over the space’s second quarter track record since 2016.

For related articles, visit the Business Topic Center.

For more information on FTTx technology and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.

To stay abreast of optical communications technology, subscribe to Lightwave’s Enabling Technologies Newsletter.

About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

Sponsored Recommendations

Transforming the metro network and the evolution of the "Digital Service Provider"

March 4, 2025
Join experts at EXFO and Ekinops in this webinar that will review the evolving metro-centric requirements and the technologies emerging to meet them.

Unveiling the Synergy Between AI and Optical Networking

March 12, 2025
Join us for an engaging discussion with industry experts on the intersection of AI and optics. Moderated by Sean Buckley, editor-in-chief of Lightwave+BTR, this panel will explore...

AI and Network Convergence: Transforming Global Connectivity

March 7, 2025
In today’s hyperconnected world, rolling out and managing profitable, high-performance networks for access and transport will require innovative architectural approaches. The ...

Simplifying and Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployments

March 25, 2025
Explore how government initiatives and industry innovations are transforming rural broadband deployments, overcoming cost and logistical challenges to connect underserved areas...