How Do Americans Connect to the Internet?

Internet service providers (ISPs)—typically private businesses, electric and telephone cooperatives, or municipal utilities—own and operate broadband networks, which employ a range of technologies to connect customers to the internet. Most broadband customers in the United States are connected to the internet by a wireline connection, which involves a physical line—typically using fiber optic cables, hybrid coaxial cable, or copper telephone wire—running to a structure. In rural areas and places with low housing density or long distances between homes, ISPs are increasingly using fixed wireless or satellite service to deliver internet access to homes and businesses. And while mobile devices supplement access for most Americans, they are the only access for many. Understanding how these various technologies work and their relative strengths and limitations is important for policymakers engaged in debates around broadband funding and deployment.

[Anna Read is senior officer and Kathryn de Wit is project director at The Pew Charitable Trusts' Broadband Access Initiative.]