LRG Research: 90% of U.S. Households Get a Home Internet Service

Durham, NH–New consumer research from Leichtman Research Group, Inc. (LRG) found that 90 percent of U.S. households get an Internet service at home, compared to 84 percent in 2017, and 74 percent in 2007.  Broadband accounts for 99 percent of households with Internet service at home, and 89 percent of all households get a broadband Internet service – an increase from 82 percent in 2017, and 53 percent in 2007.

This study also found that 90 percent of households use a laptop or desktop computer, an increase from 85 percent in 2017.  Of those that use a laptop or desktop computer, 96 percent have Internet service at home.  Those who do not use a laptop or desktop computer at home account for 58 percent of all that do not get Internet service.

These findings are based on a survey of 1,910 households from throughout the United States and are part of a new LRG study, Broadband Internet in the U.S. 2022.  This is LRG’s twentieth annual study on this topic.

Other related findings include:

• Individuals ages 65+ account for 34 percent of those that do not get an Internet service at home
• 56 percent of broadband subscribers are very satisfied (8-10 on a 1-10 scale) with their Internet service at home, while 6 percent are not satisfied (1-3). 
• 44 percent of broadband subscribers do not know the download speed of their service – compared to 60 percent in 2017
• 61 percent reporting Internet speeds of >100 Mbps are very satisfied with their service, compared to 41 percent with speeds <50 Mbps, and 57 percent that do not know their speed
• 40 percent of broadband households get a bundle of services from a single provider – compared to 64 percent in 2017, and 78 percent in 2012
• 59 percent of adults with Internet service at home watch video online daily – compared to 59 percent in 2020, 43 percent in 2017, and 17 percent in 2012

“The percentage of households getting an Internet service at home, including high-speed broadband, is higher than in any previous year,” said Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst for Leichtman Research Group, Inc.  “Computer usage and knowledge remain the foundation for Internet services in the home.  Among those that do not get an Internet service at home, 58 percent also do not use a computer at home..”