Wi-fi gaps, or dead spots, within U.S. homes is impacting the quality of high-speed internet access, according to new data from Parks Associates.

Parks found that more than 80% of U.S. households subscribe to fixed home internet, and more than 25% report gigabit speeds, yet performance perception drives satisfaction nearly as much as download speed.

Parks finds that customer premise equipment, including wi-fi upgrades, mesh systems and router telemetry are emerging as critical competitive levers. However, traditional telemetry alone cannot fully diagnose home environment challenges such as router placement, interference, or structural barriers.

“Self-support apps powered by visual AI offer a scalable solution and enable customers to diagnose issues instantly, receive guided remediation, and avoid unnecessary truck rolls,” said Jennifer Kent, SVP and principal analyst at Parks. “As broadband penetration reaches maturity and competitive entry accelerates, ISPs face a defining moment: control the in-home experience or risk losing it to competitors that can deliver clearer visibility and faster resolution.”

From the article, "Parks: Wi-Fi Gaps Undermine Household Broadband Quality" by Erik Gruenwedel