27 Jan New Englanders Increasingly Satisfied With Broadband and Video Affordability – New Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 27, 2025
CONTACT: David Di Martino, David@sevenletter.com 202-247-7271
New Englanders Increasingly Satisfied With Broadband and Video Affordability – New Study
The fourth annual NECTA Innovation Index shows rising satisfaction on the critical issue of affordability; survey also shows increasing AI use; a decrease in so-called cord-cutting; and increased public demand for “one stop” entertainment sourcing
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – With Americans fixated on the increasing costs of food, electricity, goods and services, New England consumers are increasingly satisfied with the affordability, reliability, speed and security of their broadband service – something they say is essential to daily life.
The new data is from the New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association’s fourth annual Innovation Index. The survey shows nearly six-in-ten are satisfied with broadband affordability, a three-point rise in the last year and that more than half of New England is satisfied with affordability of their cable/video services – an increase of six points from last year. This is backed up by national Consumer Price Index data, which shows internet services have seen a slight decline in cost (~1% down) over the past year. By contrast, nationally, electricity prices have risen notably (~4–5%) and homeowners insurance costs have climbed even more sharply (8%) – pressuring household budgets.
NECTA’s survey also shows continued improvement across most aspects of home internet service, with broadband satisfaction rates over 90% including an increasing share of “intense satisfaction.” New Englanders also have an overwhelmingly positive view of how easy it is to access fast, reliable home internet (86% – up four over last year), and speed (80% – up one percent over last year).
“The Innovation Index shows that broadband and video providers are delivering on the services consumers value most. Families facing higher electricity and food prices, along with higher costs of living, are seeing faster speeds, better service, tighter security and expanded access at a lower cost overall,” said Tim Wilkerson, President of NECTA. “For an industry that connects everyone, this shows increasing trust and affinity for those who provide those services. These results also provide valuable insights for NECTA and our members as well as businesses and policymakers, especially as new technology reshapes our landscape and enhances the ways we live, work, learn and play.”
The Index also has notable findings across other trends. So-called cord-cutting has slowed again this year, with steep declines over 2024 and previous years. This is notable as 83% say that “one-stop-shopping” for video services is either very or somewhat important – especially so for those 18-29, who rate its importance at 86%.
The annual survey was unveiled today and captures views of connected technology, sports and entertainment, and their impact on daily life from across New England.
AI use continues to rise in New England, according to the Index with 64% reporting use of an AI chatbot such as ChatGPT or Google Gemini, up 11% over the 2024 survey and up 23% over the 2023 edition. Opinions of AI across New England vary, however many are optimistic about AI’s potential for productivity, but a steady 74% (2023-2025) believe it poses a security threat.
Understandably, New Englanders have intense concern about cyberattacks given the billions of attacks on broadband networks every year. And the survey shows that concern has risen 10% over the last year. NECTA’s Index shows, however, that families across New England feel secure: two-in-three believe their broadband providers do a good jobprotecting against cyber threats, a number that has held mostly steady over the past three years.
Additional results include these notable findings:
- Streaming services are nearly ubiquitous – 87% subscribe to Peacock, Disney+, Hulu or similar.
- NFL football is the most streamed sport followed by basketball and baseball – 70%, 49%, 43%.
- Taxpayer subsidized broadband networks are not a priority for New Englanders, with fewer than 1 in 5 (19%) in support of using local tax dollars to fund government-owned service, ranking far below other priorities like building roads and bridges (47%), improving the electricity grid (35%) and investing in renewable energy (34%).
“NECTA members power New England’s most important connections – and this new data shows that they are making daily life more affordable and more reliable,” added Wilkerson.
To read more from the Index, click here.
The mixed methodology (online and randomized text-to-web) 2001 sample survey of New England voters who are also broadband or cable consumers was fielded from 10/16/2025 to 10/29/2025 and has a margin of error of +/- 2.2%. The sample mirrors up-to-date consumer and voter representation throughout New England to ensure an accurate depiction of public sentiment. The 2025 NECTA Innovation Index was conducted by Seven Letter Insight.
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About NECTA:
New England Connectivity and Telecommunications (NECTA) members power your most important connections, empowering how live, work, learn and play. Our members are among the most inventive broadband, entertainment, and connected technology companies. We drive economic growth and deliver opportunities for people, families, businesses and organizations across the region. We are connecting New England. Learn more.