Goalposts moving on broadband competition

Most Americans can choose among several providers of home internet service, but that competition masks their much more limited options for true high-speed connections. Home internet connections became even more essential during the pandemic, but there's still disagreement about the extent of competition in the broadband market. "Competition" in the broadband space has two primary interpretations. To consumers, regulators, and advocacy groups, competition is correlated to the number and variety in choices a customer has when choosing a broadband provider. To broadband, telecommunications, and cable companies, competition is correlated to the quality, scope, and pricing of broadband services provided to the consumer between existing or incumbent providers. A Consumer Reports survey in 2021 found that 26% of Americans said they had one choice for a wired home internet connection, 32% said there were two providers, and 16% said they had three options. Additionally, the survey found that the cost of home internet decreased based on the number of providers. So, with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) providing $42.5 billion in funding to build internet networks at speeds of 100/20 Mbps, consumer watchdog groups worry that the biggest threats to competition are incumbent broadband providers who seek to challenge IIJA funding distribution to new broadband entrants in a market where they already provide service Those challenges could effectively holding these areas hostage by denying residents the ability to choose a different broadband provider.