Affordable internet is a cost-of-living success story

American households still find themselves in a financial crunch when it comes to the cost of housing, healthy food, healthcare, and more. But there is at least one major household expense moving in the opposite direction: internet service.

Broadband access is no small matter in our increasingly digital world, where high-speed internet is essential infrastructure for everyday work, education, healthcare, and social life. And unlike so many sectors where consumers have watched prices climb year after year, broadband has quietly become both faster and more affordable.

It is a rare cost-of-living win driven by deregulation, private investment and market competition.

New data show real prices for the most popular internet plans fell another 6 percent in 2025, while internet speeds increased nearly 22 percent. Over the last decade, connectivity speeds have surged, giving Americans access to stronger, quicker, and more reliable internet service.

The biggest savings recently have appeared where affordability matters most. Entry-level broadband plans saw prices drop 17 percent year over year in real terms, helping more families access reliable high-speed service at lower cost. Meanwhile, gigabit internet plans — once considered premium products —........

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