60% of homes now have access to fiber: Report

"Though it's becoming more expensive for deploy, the number of homes with fiber access grew significantly in 2025, according to the Fiber Broadband Association's annual Fiber Deployment Cost Report, conducted by Cartesian. More 11.8 million homes added fiber connections last year, bringing the total percentage of households with the technology in the U.S. to more than 60%. However, whether fiber is added via underground or aerial methods, the cost of deployment continued to increase."

"Most respondents in the report (88%) expect further cost increases this year. " The data shows that while fiber deployment continues at a historic pace, the economics of building networks are becoming more complex," Megan Corriveau, Cartesian strategy and analytics manager, said in a prepared statement. "Rising labor costs, materials pricing, and permitting delays are reshaping deployment strategies, making accurate cost benchmarks more critical than ever for providers planning large-scale fiber investments.""

More than 11.8 million homes gained fiber access in 2025, pushing U.S. household fiber coverage above 60%. Nearly all respondents (92%) reported higher fiber deployment costs over the past 12 months. Aerial deployments cost about $8 per foot versus $18 per foot for underground construction. Annual cost increases were about 14% for aerial builds and 3% for underground builds, with labor comprising roughly 72% of underground costs and 64% of aerial costs. Use of conduit can add up to 40% to initial costs, while trenching costs 60% more than plowing and 6% more than directional boring. Most respondents (88%) expect further cost increases this year.

Read at Telecompetitor