Mobile-Only Internet Access Has Increased in the U.S.
New research shows that while broadband access has expanded, millions of households now rely solely on smartphones.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Telecommunications
Live Poll
Do you consider a smartphone sufficient as your primary and only source of home internet access?
Purdue University professor Roberto Gallardo has published research showing a significant shift in U.S. connectivity patterns between 2017 and 2025. While the number of households without any internet access has fallen, reliance on mobile-only devices has grown as a primary method of digital access.
Why it matters
This shift highlights the critical role of affordability in determining how Americans access essential digital services. As broadband infrastructure expands, cost remains a primary driver for households choosing mobile-only internet over traditional home connections.
The study found that while 12.5 million homes gained broadband access between 2017 and 2025, the number of mobile-only internet households rose by 6 million. Simultaneously, the count of households owning exclusively mobile devices increased by 9 million over the same period.
The players
Roberto Gallardo
A professor at Purdue University who specializes in analyzing digital connectivity trends and socioeconomic impacts.
Purdue University
A public research institution that focuses on engineering, technology, and socioeconomic data analysis.
The details
Professor Gallardo analyzed U.S. Census American Community Survey data to compare connectivity metrics across diverse demographic segments. The study identifies a trend where urban and low-income populations increasingly favor smartphone-based access to circumvent the costs of fixed-line broadband. This transition creates a bifurcated digital experience where users are limited to the processing capabilities and screen sizes of mobile devices rather than standard desktop or laptop-based internet environments.
Timeline
2017: Baseline established for internet access and device ownership metrics.
2019: Deep dive analysis period of Census data.
2024: End point for mobile-only household and device ownership data.
2025: End point for general internet access data.
October 6, 2026: Publication of the research paper.
The Tech Race
This research follows the longitudinal methodology of the U.S. Census American Community Survey to track the evolution of the national digital divide. It highlights a departure from total access metrics toward a focus on the quality and constraints of mobile-only versus fixed broadband connectivity.
The trend indicates that more households are choosing to rely on the data limits and performance constraints of mobile hardware as their sole connection. Users in urban areas should evaluate whether their smartphone-only setups can support the growing bandwidth requirements of modern digital services.
The takeaway
The research confirms that affordability is forcing a national pivot toward mobile-dependent internet habits despite the expansion of broadband. Readers should track upcoming Census reports to see if the rise in mobile-only device ownership continues to outpace gains in traditional fixed broadband.
Further reading
For broader analysis on how infrastructure influences connectivity, visit our Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CircleID.
Live Poll
Do you consider a smartphone sufficient as your primary and only source of home internet access?
