As daily life has stabilized, people across the U.S. continue to depend on broadband internet for work, school, telehealth, and social connection. National surveys show roughly 9 in 10 U.S. households reported a home broadband subscription in 2023 (American Community Survey). Remote and hybrid work have also reset demand: about 28–30% of paid workdays are from home in 2025, a many‑fold increase over pre‑2020 levels (WFH Research). Average household data usage has climbed accordingly, surpassing 600 GB per month by 2024 and continuing to rise (OpenVault Broadband Insights).
More than 800 broadband and wireless companies participated in the Federal Communications Commission’s voluntary Keep Americans Connected pledge announced in March 2020. During the emergency period (formally ending June 30, 2020), signatories committed to temporary measures that prioritized continuity of service for households and small businesses affected by COVID‑19.
- not to terminate services due to missed or late payments related to COVID-19
- late fees will be waived
- free access to WiFi hotspots nationwide.
“Broadband will enable people to communicate with their loved ones and doctors, telework, ensure their children can engage in remote learning, and — importantly — take part in the ‘social distancing’ that will be so critical to limiting the spread of this novel coronavirus,” Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said in a news release.
The largest broadband providers and the rise of fixed wireless home internet
Why internet access is essential during a pandemic — and after
Today’s evidence shows broadband is integral to daily life and economic participation. Using the FCC’s updated 100/20 Mbps benchmark adopted in 2024, more than 24 million people still lack access to fixed terrestrial broadband, with gaps concentrated in rural (~28%) and Tribal (~23%) areas (FCC 2024 Broadband Progress Report). Adoption is high overall — about 90% of U.S. households report a broadband subscription in 2023 (ACS S2801) — but it is highly income‑sensitive: households under roughly $25,000 are around 70% subscribed versus mid‑ to high‑90% for $75,000+ (ACS 2023). Cost remains the top self‑reported reason for non‑adoption (NTIA Internet Use Survey). For early‑pandemic context on disparities, see this recent Brookings study.
“Without the internet, people would not only have access to jobs, information but also their entire social network,” Fishbane said. “Those are things that are important after the coronavirus, too.” In practice, lower‑income adults remain far less likely than higher‑income peers to have home broadband and are more likely to be smartphone‑only, reinforcing that affordability and device gaps — not just availability — drive today’s divide (NTIA; Pew Research Center).
What the FCC’s pledge accomplished — and what replaced it: During spring 2020, the Keep Americans Connected pledge broadly reduced shutoffs for nonpayment, waived late fees among signatories, and opened public Wi‑Fi hotspots, helping households stay connected during lockdowns. But KAC was voluntary and time‑limited; it did not erase accrued balances and ended June 30, 2020. The durable affordability response came later via the Emergency Broadband Benefit and then the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which enrolled more than 23 million households before benefits ended after May 2024 due to lack of funding (FCC ACP; USAC tracker). Advocacy groups also noted KAC’s limits and post‑pledge shutoff risks (Free Press).
In an ideal world, it should be easier than ever to access everything we need from home: school, work, exercise and social life. However, the FCC’s latest deployment report finds broadband is still not being deployed to all Americans in a “reasonable and timely” fashion at today’s 100/20 Mbps benchmark, with more than 24 million lacking fixed access and the largest shortfalls in rural and Tribal areas. Earlier figures such as “94% with access” reflected the older 25/3 Mbps standard; today’s higher benchmark highlights remaining coverage and quality gaps.
Fishbane was optimistic that society is learning from this experience. “Many people have tried to say broadband is a luxury good, and if this doesn’t prove that broadband is essential and something that everybody should have access to, then I don’t know what will. But I hope that it’s making that case right now.” Meanwhile, access continues to expand through multiple technologies: fiber upgrades toward multi‑gig PON, cable HFC improvements with DOCSIS 4.0, fast‑growing 5G fixed wireless access (Ericsson Mobility Report), and new satellite‑cellular integrations enabled by the FCC’s Supplemental Coverage from Space framework (FCC SCS). In‑home performance is also advancing with Wi‑Fi 7.
A few ISPs going the extra mile
Beyond the emergency period, many providers maintain discounted plans and simplified, no‑contract options to keep costs predictable, alongside public buildout funding such as the federal BEAD program. Competition has also broadened: fixed wireless home internet from T‑Mobile and Verizon offers flat, equipment‑included pricing (typically $50–$60) with no data caps, complementing cable and fiber choices.
Comcast is improving its Internet Essentials package, for example, which provides broadband to low-income households at entry‑level pricing with no annual contract, alongside a faster Internet Essentials Plus tier. Comcast has also introduced NOW Internet, a prepaid‑style, no‑credit‑check option designed to minimize upfront barriers and let customers start or stop service easily.
For K-12 students and college students who don’t have internet access, Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi for the next two months. Charter said installation fees will be waived with this temporary offer. Today, Charter’s ongoing low‑cost option for eligible households is Spectrum Internet Assist, which includes a modem, no data caps, and no annual contract (in‑home WiFi may be an added fee).
