ACA: Small Cable Companies Offer Communications Service to 14% of US Homes

Although most are not known outside their local -- primarily rural -- communities, small cable companies offer advanced communications services to 14% of US homes, according to a report issued from the American Cable Association.

The ACA advocates for more than 800 small cable company members, who have an average 36% market share in their serving areas according to the ACA. Understanding the role that ACA members play in offering video, data and voice services in rural areas is important at a time when policymakers are in the process of transforming today’s voice-focused Universal Service program to a Connect America Fund focused on broadband. Somewhat less than half (43%) of ACA members are small telecommunications companies that have cable operations. A slightly higher percentage (44%) is comprised of traditional cable operators, while 13% are municipalities or other types of organizations.