Network news roundup
The past month has seen significant developments across the telecom space. Major broadband expansions into rural and agricultural areas, industry consolidation through a surprise cable merger, and strategic partnerships in cloud services. Meanwhile, consumer broadband speeds continue to climb, with 500 Mbps now emerging as the new baseline for residential internet service.
Network infrastructure & deployment
Charter to acquire Cox Communications in $34.5B deal
In a surprising announcement, Charter Communications has revealed plans to acquire fellow cable operator Cox Communications for $34.5 billion. The combined company will serve 38 million customers across 46 states with a network spanning 78 million homes. Charter CEO Chris Winfrey emphasized that the merger will "augment [their] ability to innovate and provide high-quality, competitively priced products, delivered with outstanding customer service." Following the merger, which expands Charter's footprint into key markets such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and several eastern states, the company will adopt the Cox Communications name, while Spectrum will become the consumer-facing brand within Cox's service areas.
Policy & regulation
Precision agriculture bill aims to boost rural broadband connectivity
A new bill introduced in the United States Senate seeks to extend broadband connectivity beyond households to farm and ranchland. The Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act, introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), would create a competitive grant and loan program through the USDA focused specifically on connectivity across agricultural lands, enabling producers to work with service providers to secure network connectivity across farm sites and support wireless infrastructure construction.
Verizon commits $5 billion to support American small businesses
Verizon has announced a substantial $5 billion commitment over the next five years to invest in U.S. small business suppliers through its new Small Business Supplier Accelerator program. The initiative aims to create a pipeline for American small businesses, with a focus on veteran-owned enterprises, to work with Verizon and other large corporations, introducing flexible solutions such as faster payment terms and modified requirements to make it easier for small businesses to join Verizon's supplier network.
Market moves & industry trends
Report: 500 Mbps emerges as new entry-level broadband speed
Market research firm Tarifica has released a new study revealing that 500 Mbps has replaced 100 Mbps as the entry-level standard for broadband service in the U.S. The study, which examined home broadband pricing and speed from 21 providers across four major U.S. cities, found that the average monthly cost for a 500 Mbps plan was $57.66, compared to $49.11 for a 100 Mbps plan, with Will Watts, Tarifica's vice president of product, noting that "the pricing gap between 100 Mbps and 500 Mbps has effectively disappeared."
AT&T to acquire Lumen's Mass Markets fiber business for $5.75B
AT&T has reached an agreement to acquire substantially all of Lumen's Mass Markets fiber business for $5.75 billion in an all-cash transaction expected to close in the first half of 2026. The deal includes about 1 million fiber customers and more than 4 million fiber locations across 11 states, significantly expanding AT&T's fiber footprint into major metro areas like Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. AT&T CEO John Stankey said the acquisition represents "a significant investment in U.S. connectivity infrastructure that will create jobs and spur economic activity," with AT&T now expecting to reach approximately 60 million total fiber locations by the end of 2030.
Technology spotlight
Small town connectivity gets boost from SmartTown Alliance
A growing number of small broadband providers have joined forces with SmartTown Alliance to bring community Wi-Fi to their rural communities. Initiated by the vendor Calix in fall 2024, the alliance offers subscribers a way to access the internet via their mobile devices outside their homes, with roaming capabilities across the footprints of all participating providers. The initiative has been particularly transformative for remote mountain communities that lack cellular service, providing not only convenience for subscribers but also critical connectivity for first responders through strategically placed outdoor access points secured with Passpoint technology.
Numbers worth noting
- $34.5 billion: Value of Charter's acquisition of Cox Communications, creating a combined network that will reach 78 million homes across 46 states.
- $5.75 billion: AT&T's acquisition price for Lumen's Mass Markets fiber business, including 1 million fiber customers and 4 million fiber locations across 11 states.
- 60 million: Total fiber locations AT&T expects to reach by the end of 2030, roughly doubling its current fiber availability.
- $57.66: Average monthly cost for a 500 Mbps broadband plan in the U.S., compared to $49.11 for a 100 Mbps plan, according to Tarifica's market research.
- $5 billion: Verizon's five-year commitment to invest in U.S. small business suppliers through its new Small Business Supplier Accelerator program.
That's it for this month. For more telecom updates, follow us on LinkedIn.
