Broadband Illinois Releases Updated Residential Broadband Pricing Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/26/2015

An updated report from Broadband Illinois sheds light on how prices of residential broadband vary across different speed tiers and geographic locations through Illinois. The 55-page report analyzes the pricing for various broadband speed options and subscription plans across Illinois during the October 2014 timeframe. This is the second Residential Broadband Pricing Study that Broadband Illinois has released; therefore, a price change over time comparison was conducted between the 2013 and 2014 data.

According to the Geographic Information System (GIS) team at Broadband Illinois, the purpose of the study is not to find the cheapest service, but to examine patterns in pricing related to speeds. Results of this comparison revealed that availability of broadband has increased statewide in all speed tiers. Additionally, higher speed prices have fallen.

Information used in the report was gathered by visiting Illinois provider websites during the month of October 2014. Data variables recorded for the report includes technology, bundle requirement, if the was for a business or residence, download/upload speeds, price and data caps. That information was paired with coverage data collected by Broadband Illinois in earlier in 2014 and submitted to the NTIA on October 1 for use in the National Broadband Map.

The result is a comprehensive guide exploring broadband pricing in Illinois using graphs, tables and multiple residential pricing maps divided in speed tiers from under 768 Kbps to greater than 100 Mbps.

The report does not name providers by price or show which technologies are fastest or cheapest.

“Our goal was not to single out specific carriers or pricing strategies, but to see the trends as a whole,” said Brian Webster Telecom Data Director for Broadband Illinois. 

Webster added that over the lifetime of the mapping project, providers have continued to respond to the increased consumer demand for higher bandwidth by upgrading their network capabilities.

“As the speeds have increased, the prices seem to be holding steady or dropping when you compare the cost per megabit of bandwidth,” he said.

Illinois is the only state that collects and produces residential broadband pricing studies. The full report is available HERE.

About Partnership for a Connected Illinois: The Partnership for a Connected Illinois is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Springfield, Illinois. Our missions are to ensure broadband access throughout the State of Illinois, maximize broadband’s impact and use, and collect and publish broadband-related data, information, and research. 

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For more information, please contact Heidi Bruce, Director of Marketing, Partnership for a Connected Illinois, at Heidi.Bruce@broadbandillinois.org or 217-886-4029.

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Partnership for a Connected Illinois 1337 Wabash Ave. Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: (217) 886-4228 Fax: (217) 718-4546 info@broadbandillinois.org