Internet Service Providers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: June 2024
NAICS 51711dRevenue
$148.7bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
243k
Businesses
1,345
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Internet Service Providers in the US industry analysis
The Internet Service Providers industry uses wired infrastructure to provide clients with internet access and related services, like web hosting, web page designing, and consulting related to internet connectivity. Rising internet usage has benefited industry revenue growth, and government-subsidized network expansion has done the same, increasing the number of US broadband connections. A push toward broadband expansion in rural markets and a rise in demand from business customers has boosted industry revenue, which is poised to incline at an annualized rate of 1.9% to $148.7 billion in 2024, including growth of 6.3% in 2024 as investments and activity mount in line with an improving macroeconomic environment.
Trends and Insights
- Demand for high-speed internet is skyrocketing. COVID-19 accelerated our need for reliable, fast internet, pushing ISPs to up their game for remote work and leisure activities. This surge means ISPs heavily invest in new infrastructure like fiber optics and 5G.
- Rural broadband expansion is crucial for growth. As ISPs extend their broadband coverage to rural areas, more people will enjoy high-speed internet access, which is critical for bridging the digital divide and boosting subscription rates.
- ISPs are more likely to be located in areas with high population density because of a more extensive potential customer base. This means they can recover the cost of building and maintaining their networks more quickly.
- The cost of building and maintaining a wired ISP network is very high. This makes it difficult for new ISPs to enter the market and compete with the established players.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $148.7bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The acceleration of the digital transformation and rising demand for highspeed internet benefits ISPs
- The demand for digital services, remote work, and online activities surged because of COVID-19. ISPs had to adapt quickly to meet the increased demand for reliable and high-speed internet connectivity to support remote work, virtual learning, streaming, and online communication.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and rising demand for cloud computing will likely benefit ISPs
- Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular, straining the internet infrastructure. ISPs will need to invest in new infrastructure to meet the growing demand for cloud computing.
Biggest companies in the Internet Service Providers in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
At&T Inc. | 28,361.7 | 1,060.5 | 3.7 | |
Comcast Corporation | 28,053.4 | 4,922.2 | 17.5 | |
Charter Communications, Inc. | 20,200.8 | 4,094.2 | 20.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Carrier and internet backbone services, Dial-up internet access and Residential broadband services. Carrier and internet backbone services is the largest segment of the Internet Service Providers in the US.
Trends and Insights
New technologies like software-defined networking and network slicing boost demand for carrier and internet backbone services
- Carrier services, also known as telecommunications carrier services or carrier-grade services, refer to the telecommunications solutions provided by ISPs. Internet backbone services refer to the core network infrastructure that forms the foundation of the global internet.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US
Complementors
- Cable Networks in the US
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers in the US
- Satellite TV Providers in the US
International industries
- Global Internet Service Providers
- Internet Service Providers in Australia
- Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals in New Zealand
- Internet Service Providers in the UK
- Internet Services in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Internet service providers (ISPs) use wired infrastructure to provide clients with internet access and related services, such as web hosting, web page designing and hardware or software consulting related to internet connectivity. Operators, except telecommunications carriers, may also lease out capacity on their networks to support the network infrastructure of other companies, or backbone services. This industry excludes wireless internet and VoIP services.
What's included in this industry?
Carrier and internet backbone servicesDial-up internet accessResidential broadband servicesBusiness broadband servicesCompanies
At&T Inc.Comcast CorporationCharter Communications, Inc.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BROADBANDBUNDLINGMEGABITS PER SECOND (MBPS)NARROWBANDDOCSISINTERNET BACKBONEBITEXABYTEIndustry Code
NAICS 517311 - Internet Service Providers in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Demand for high-speed internet is skyrocketing. COVID-19 accelerated our need for reliable, fast internet, pushing ISPs to up their game for remote work and leisure activitie...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Rural broadband expansion is crucial for growth. As ISPs extend their broadband coverage to rural areas, more people will enjoy high-speed internet access, which is critical ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
ISPs are more likely to be located in areas with high population density because of a more extensive potential customer base. This means they can recover the cost of building...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The cost of building and maintaining a wired ISP network is very high. This makes it difficult for new ISPs to enter the market and compete with the established players.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Wireless ISPs are offering faster speeds and more affordable plans than wired ISPs. This pressures wired ISPs to provide better deals and improve their service. For example, ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of At&T Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Comcast Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Charter Communications, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for At&T Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Comcast Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Charter Communications, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Government support is fueling broadband expansion. Grants and tax incentives are making it easier for ISPs to tackle costly infrastructure projects that bring faster internet...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
New ISPs are shaking things up with aggressive pricing. They're luring customers in with lower rates, squeezing established providers' profit margin.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States is $148.7bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in 2024?
There are 1,345 businesses in the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Internet Service Providers in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Internet Service Providers market in United States are At&T Inc., Comcast Corporation and Charter Communications, Inc.
What does the Internet Service Providers in the US in United States include?
Carrier and internet backbone services and Dial-up internet access are part of the Internet Service Providers in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Internet Service Providers in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is At&T Inc..
How competitive is the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States.
