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US Lacks Real Broadband Choice as Fiber Network Collapses
8 Jun
Summary
- One-third of US homes have only one high-speed broadband provider.
- SiFi Networks, aiming to boost ISP choice, filed for bankruptcy.
- Many communities still lack competitive broadband options.
In the United States, a substantial number of households, approximately one-third, have access to only one provider offering broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps. An additional 34% have access to merely two providers, indicating a widespread lack of meaningful competition.
SiFi Networks had been actively working with cities nationwide to establish rival fiber networks, seeking to challenge incumbent Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The company's model focused on expanding ISP choice by utilizing open-access fiber networks. These networks allow multiple providers to operate on shared infrastructure, offering an expedited route for market expansion without the high capital costs associated with building new networks.
However, SiFi Networks has now filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to documents filed on PacerMonitor. This development complicates efforts to introduce more competition into the broadband market, leaving many communities with limited options beyond existing duopolies or single providers.
