The availability of fiber internet service across the United States grew from 45.9% of households to 55.6% between December 2021 and June 2023, according to a study by BroadbandNow. The site said that 5.6 million fiber subscribers have been added in the last 18 months.

There is quite a spread between the states with the highest and lowest fiber penetration rates. The states with the highest rates are Alaska (44.17%), New Mexico (41.74%), Arizona (35.26%), Nevada (22.39%) and Colorado (21.53%).

Those with the lowest rates are North Dakota (0.17%), Vermont (0.22%), Montana (0.36%), Wyoming (0.40%) and South Dakota (0.42%).

Among the 10 most urban states, the average percentage of households with fiber access has risen steadily over the last two years:

 

·         December 2021: 59.9%

·         June 2022: 61.9%

·         December 2022: 64.4%

·         June 2023: 67.2%

For the 10 most rural states, the percentage of households with fiber internet access has increased less steeply. The average percentage of households with fiber internet over the last two years is as follows:

·         December 2021: 35.9%

·         June 2022: 36.4%

·         December 2022: 39.4%

·         June 2023: 42.1%

“The steady growth in fiber access underscores the increasing adoption and expansion of fiber-optic technology across states,” noted BroadbandNow editor-in-chief Tyler Cooper. “However, the disparity in penetration rates suggests varying levels of infrastructure development, policy implementation, and prioritization among states. States with higher penetration might have benefitted from early investments, favorable policies, or a higher demand for advanced communication infrastructure.”

The report relied on almost 300 million speed tests, machine learning, FCC Form 477 data and the new National Broadband Map Fabric. Fiber broadband was defined to only include fiber-to-the-home – not hybrid fiber co-ax or DSL.