Broadband in America Report: Fiber Optic Market Focus — March 2026 Edition

A data-driven analysis of the U.S. fiber broadband market, using the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Data Collection Versions 6 (December 2024) and 7 (June 2025), CostQuest’s Location Fabric and Network Cost Model data. It examines fiber broadband coverage by provider, geography, and funding source across more than 116 million Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs), offering a granular, nationwide view of where fiber is growing, who is driving it, and what federal investment is making it possible.

• Fiber broadband coverage crosses 60% of served U.S. locations, outpacing every other technology
• AT&T dominates fiber broadband coverage while cable operators and new entrants intensify competition
• Federal funding is a critical accelerant of U.S. fiber broadband deployment, particularly across rural America. Key programs include EACAM, supporting 2.3 million fiber locations, and RDOF, covering 1.7 million locations. Notably, 29.5% overall of all rural fiber locations as of Version 7 are federally funded, while the BEAD program is poised to further expand access significantly.