NCTA

In 2024, the U.S. cable sector generated $568.7 billion in total economic output and supported 1.3 million jobs across the country. This footprint spans broadband networks, video programming, construction, manufacturing, and a broad vendor ecosystem. It underscores why cable remains a central pillar of Americaโ€™s connectivity and media economy even as consumption shifts to IP and streaming. Cable broadband providersโ€”led by Comcast, Charter Communications (Spectrum), Cox, Altice USA (Optimum), Mediacom, Cable One (Sparklight), and WOW!โ€”accounted for $366 billion in total economic impact and nearly 888,000 jobs.
With the FCC under pressure to deliver 300 MHz of auctionable spectrum, a group of Senate Republicans is urging the agency to preserve the shared 3.5 GHz CBRS band and the unlicensed 6 GHz band that underpin private 5G and nextโ€‘gen Wiโ€‘Fi. Ten Senate Republicans, including five members of the Senate Commerce Committee, sent a letter urging the FCC to ensure existing operations in the 6 GHz and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) bands continue โ€œwithout disruption.โ€ NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth called for preserving 6 GHz for Wiโ€‘Fi, a stance applauded by NCTA as a recognition that unlicensed spectrum is an economic engine.
SpaceX wants the FCC to count Starlink as โ€œadvancedโ€ broadband in its annual Section 706 report, a move that could reshape funding, benchmarks, and competition in rural internet buildouts. In 2024, the agency set a 100/20 Mbps benchmark, added affordability and adoption metrics, and floated a long-term goal of 1 Gbps/500 Mbps. SpaceX argues that excluding LEO distorts the national picture. The company says Starlink serves more than 2 million U.S. subscribers and posts median peak-hour speeds near 200 Mbps today. Rural electric co-ops and community telcos counter that LEO networks remain capacity constrained and variable.
Broadband leaders and utility companies, including CTA, NCTA, and PG&E, have extended the Voluntary Agreement for Small Network Equipment through 2028. The initiative has already improved home internet device energy efficiency by 89% since 2015, and new targets aim for an additional 10% reduction by 2026. With compliance from major ISPs and device manufacturers, this industry-led effort is making home broadband more sustainable while enhancing performance.

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