Price Too High and Rising: The Facts About America’s Broadband Affordability Gap

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The facts on pricing and profits for the US broadband industry, the varying ways to measure prices, the important differences between these methods, and how certain methods can be used to obfuscate the reality of what is happening in the market and at the kitchen table. Government and industry data note the strength and weaknesses in each form and highlight how the ISP industry and its apologists use this kind of data to mislead. Some of our findings include:

  • Monthly Broadband Bills Continue to Rise Far Faster than the Rate of Inflation
  • Low-Priced Offerings Are Disappearing, Threatening to Cement the Digital Divide and Disrupt the Post-COVID Economic Recovery
  • US Government Data Contradict ISPs’ Claims About U.S. Price Superiority
  • ISPs Are Enjoying Record Profits as They Increase Prices and Reduce Investments

 


Price Too High and Rising: The Facts About America’s Broadband Affordability Gap Ajit Pai promised cheaper Internet—real prices rose 19 percent instead (Ars Technica)