Ookla U.S. Broadband Speed Performance Report -2H 2025 (summary)
Report by Sue Marek - Editorial Director, Ookla
https://www.ookla.com/research/reports/us-broadband-report-h2-2025-download
The report analyzes fixed and satellite broadband performance across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia during the second half of 2025, using Speedtest Intelligence data. It evaluates how effectively states meet the FCC’s minimum broadband standard of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, while also examining trends in infrastructure deployment and the narrowing of the digital divide.
Rapid expansion of fiber networks, fixed wireless access (FWA), and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband significantly reshaped the market.
Cable providers accelerated upgrades (DOCSIS 4.0, high-split DOCSIS) to remain competitive.
The number of states meeting baseline broadband performance improved substantially:
45 states (plus D.C.) reached 60% user coverage at 100/20 Mbps (up from 38).
13 states exceeded 70% coverage (more than double from 5 states in 1H 2025).
Connecticut (73.38%), New Jersey (72.81%), and Delaware (71.60%) lead the nation.
High population density and smaller geographic size contribute to efficient infrastructure deployment.
These states consistently rank at the top due to strong fiber penetration and mature broadband markets.
Bottom-ranked states include:
Alaska (47.09%)
Wyoming (53.76%)
Montana (54.58%)
Common challenges:
Large landmass
Low population density
Difficult terrain (mountains, permafrost)
Significant progress in closing the urban–rural gap:
43 states reduced disparities between urban and rural users.
Key drivers:
Fiber expansion (84.6 million homes passed by end of 2025)
Federal programs such as RDOF
Increased consumer upgrades to higher-speed plans
Example:
New Mexico reduced its urban–rural gap from 28.8 to 23.6 percentage points.
Major gains:
From ~41% to 54.58% of users meeting 100/20 Mbps in 2025.
Driven by:
ConnectMT grant program ($310M)
USDA ReConnect funding
Despite progress, still ranks near the bottom due to structural geographic challenges.
Starlink speeds improved significantly:
5 states now have ≥50% of users achieving 100/20 Mbps (Nebraska leads at 58.31%).
Satellite constellation expansion (~10,000 satellites) improved coverage and capacity.
In 29 states, rural Starlink users outperform urban users.
Reason:
Lower user density → more bandwidth per user.
Example:
Vermont shows a large rural advantage (44.2% vs 26.7%).
Starlink is gaining traction in cities as:
A backup connection
An alternative to poor ISP service
States with more urban than rural Starlink users:
Florida, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, Connecticut
Fiber rollout:
AT&T: 32 million locations
Verizon: ~18 million (+ Frontier acquisition adds 9.1 million)
Public funding:
RDOF milestones required 40–60% deployment by end of 2025
Private investment and competition accelerated upgrades across all technologies
Consumers increasingly upgrade to higher-tier plans:
87% of subscribers now provisioned for ≥200 Mbps
Only 10% remain below 100 Mbps
This contributes to improved performance metrics alongside infrastructure growth.
Continued momentum expected due to:
Transition of BEAD program from planning to construction
Ongoing fiber expansion and satellite deployment
Broadband performance and digital divide improvements are likely to continue, though geographic challenges will persist in low-density states.
The second half of 2025 marked a turning point in U.S. broadband performance, with widespread improvements in speed availability and a notable narrowing of the digital divide. Fiber expansion, satellite innovation, and federal funding programs collectively accelerated progress. While leading states consolidate their advantage, emerging technologies like Starlink are reshaping connectivity dynamics—particularly in rural areas—suggesting a more balanced national broadband landscape ahead.
RESOURCES
Ookla — US Broadband Speed Performance Report H2 2025 — the primary source, using Speedtest Intelligence data across all 50 states
FCC Broadband Speed Guide — defines the 100/20 Mbps minimum standard used as the report benchmark
Starlink — SpaceX LEO satellite broadband service showing significant rural performance gains
AT&T Fiber — reached 32 million fiber locations by end of 2025
Verizon Fios — expanded to ~18 million locations, augmented by Frontier acquisition
USDA ReConnect Program — federal grant program funding rural broadband, highlighted in Montana and Vermont gains
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) — FCC program that distributed $9.2 billion for rural broadband deployment
BEAD Program (NTIA) — $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program transitioning to construction phase
ConnectMT — Montana’s $310M broadband grant program cited for driving state’s coverage gains
Speedtest Intelligence — Ookla’s data platform underlying the report’s state-by-state performance analysis