NCTA - The Internet & Television Association

A robust internet connection has become indispensable in our lives. During the COVID pandemic, US broadband networks performed resiliently even during historic surges in internet traffic when many companies and schools went entirely remote, according to performance tests and reports. But besides powering our digital lives, it’s important to ensure that broadband is meeting consumer expectations and evolving in the right direction.

NCTA - The Internet & Television Association examined data pulled from FCC and Census Bureau reports to determine where cable's broadband networks have been deployed in urban centers. The findings from this report, "Building a Gigabit Nation: An Analysis of Cable's Superfast Networks in Urban Communities," indicate that cable broadband providers have long been committed to and are continually expanding, deploying, and upgrading their networks in all communities, regardless of income or race.

An internet connection can make a huge difference in a person's life. But long before the pandemic accelerated the rate at which our lives moved online, America's internet service providers offered special, low-cost broadband adoption plans like Connect2Compete and Internet Essentials so that everyone could participate. In fact, more than 14 million customers connected to the internet via these discounted offerings in the last decade.

NCTA – the Internet & Television Association, in partnership with EducationSuperHighway (ESH), announced a new initiative to help increase home connectivity solutions for students, as many schools adapt to remote and hybrid learning classrooms amid the coronavirus pandemic. The K-12 Bridge to Broadband initiative will scale innovative solutions that are helping public school districts and states identify and potentially connect students in low-income families, enabling more students to participate in remote or hybrid learning.

Cable Internet service providers (ISPs) can make smart cities become a reality and offer city planners successful case studies and useful planning steps for how to make their communities digital leaders.