
The US still trails its OECD counterparts in terms of broadband penetration, speed and affordability. Nevertheless, the market is currently witnessing significant investment activity in fibre deployments, HFC upgrades with DOCSIS3.1 technology, and mobile broadband networks. Much of the investment in fibre is being undertaken by a significant number of smaller players and municipalities rather than the two key telcos, AT&T and Verizon, which are concentrating on a hybrid fibre/copper network and limiting future upgrades beyond what has already been achieved. Indeed these operators have emphasised their wireless focus in recent years, which has meant that cablecos have made most of the gains in new broadband subscriber adds in recent quarters.