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Broadband and Mobility

Q2 2026

Quantified Consumer

The Rural Broadband Opportunity: Delivering Value Beyond Connectivity

This study explores the broadband market from the perspective of rural and small-town households, leveraging Parks Associates’ latest survey of 8,000 US internet households. With a focus on rural consumers’ connectivity experiences, priorities, and pain points, the research identifies how smaller ISPs can deepen customer relationships through service bundling, local engagement, and innovative value-added services.

Rural broadband providers operate in markets defined by limited infrastructure, unique geographic challenges, and strong community ties. This research highlights what rural consumers value most and pinpoints the service features, bundles, and convergence opportunities that resonate most strongly outside major metro areas.

The study provides actionable insights to help Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers compete through differentiation rather than scale—by integrating smart home, mobile, safety, and entertainment services that meet the distinctive needs of rural America.

Key Questions Addressed:
  • What is the current state of broadband and mobile penetration in rural and small-town households?
  • What drives satisfaction and loyalty among rural broadband consumers?
  • What are the most significant pain points rural households face with their broadband service?
  • How do rural consumers perceive local providers compared to national brands?
  • What is the demand for bundled services and value-added services (VAS) in rural markets?
  • How can Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers segment and target rural consumers for competitive differentiation?

 

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Download Table of Contents (PDF)

Executive Summary

Home Internet Net Promoter Scores: 2020 vs. 2025

Average Customer-Reported Download Speeds: 2020 vs. 2025 (Mbps)

NPS on Home Internet Services by Problems Experienced

Annual Churn Risk for Top ISPs Among Rural Residents

Net Promoter Score of Home Internet Providers Among Rural Residents

Primary Internet Access Method at Home by Region

Average Customer-Reported Download Speeds in Rural Regions (Mbps)

Average Number of Bundled Services by Rural Region

Technology Affinity by Residential Area

Interest in New Services from Internet Providers by Residential Area

Rural Broadband Market Overview

Current Home Internet Service Providers Among Rural Residents

Primary Internet Access Method at Home by Residential Area

Preferred Future Internet Service Type by Residential Area

Download Speed of Home Broadband Services by Residential Area

Upload Speed of Home Internet Services by Residential Area

Attitudes Towards Internet Service Providers Among Rural Residents

Rural Needs, Experiences, and Perceptions

Attitudes Towards Home Internet Service by Residential Area

High Intention to Make Changes to Internet Services

Recent Home Internet Service Changes Made in the Past 12 Months by Residential Area

Reasons for Switching Home Internet Providers by Residential Area

Problems Experienced with Home Internet Services by Residential Area

Impact of Service Issues on Customer Churn Intentions Among Rural Residents

NPS of Internet Service by VAS Features Among Rural Residents

Perceptions of Current Home Internet Service by Residential Area

Customer Satisfaction Trends

Home Internet Net Promoter Scores by Residential Area: Five-Year Trends

Net Promoter Score of Home Internet Providers Among Rural Residents

NPS of Home Internet by Download Speed Among Rural Residents

NPS of Home Internet by Upload Speed Among Rural Residents

Problems with Home Internet Services by Access Method Among Rural Residents

NPS on Home Internet Services by Problems Experienced Among Rural Residents

Bundles and Value-Added Services in Rural Markets

Adoption of Bundled Services by Residential Area

Reasons for Subscribing to Pay-TV Services by Residential Area

Interest in New Services from Internet Providers by Residential Area

Preferred Video Streaming Subscription Aggregator by Residential Area

Important Benefits Driving Streaming Bundled Service by Residential Area

Strategic Imperatives for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Broadband Providers

Annual Churn Risk for Top ISPs Among Rural Residents

Bundling Service Interest by Residential Area

Drivers in Choosing a Mobile Service Provider by Residential Area

Expected Increasing Spending on Categories by Residential Area

Incentives to Reduce Churn Rate by Residential Area

Average Monthly Cost of Home Internet by Residential Area

ARPU of Home Internet Service by Download Speed

US Regional Breakdowns and Market Dynamics

Download Speed of Rural Home Internet by Region

Average Customer-Reported Download Speeds in Rural Regions: 2020 vs. 2025

Primary Internet Access Method at Home by Rural Regions

Average Number of Bundled Services by Rural Region

Number of Bundled Services by Rural Region

High Interest in New Services from Internet Providers by Rural Residential Area

Current Adoption of Bundled Services by Rural Region

Average Monthly Cost of Rural Home Internet by Residential Area

Home Internet Net Promoter Scores for Rural Regions: 2020 vs. 2025

Appendix

Demographics of Respondents by Residential Area

Housing Factors Breakdown of Broadband Consumers by Geography

© Parks Associates

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