Why Fiber Feels Impossible to Get (Unless You Live in These States)

Fiber might seem like a necessity to some, while others might wonder if they’ll ever get access to its high speeds and reliability.

According to Reviews.org’s report analyzing FCC broadband availability data, there’s a clear gap. Fiber might reach 81% of households in Rhode Island (the highest in the nation), but it only reaches 13% in Alaska (the lowest in the nation). This digital divide is less about a lack of demand and more about infrastructure costs.

In 2026, over half (52%) of Americans have access to fiber — but that national availability stat doesn't help those without access currently.

While it's great to see that we've officially crossed the national threshold for majority adoption, that distribution isn't even across the country, and access is largely available to urban customers.

The states lacking in fiber coverage may not see fiber’s buildout for years, and not because the potential users don't want it.

Fiber internet availability by state is due in large part to how fiber works. In short, you have three different ways to connect:

• Fiber to the home or premises (FTTH or FTTP): A direct connection to the home; the fastest connection type.
• Fiber to the curb (FTTC): A connection that goes to the nearest utility pole or box (at your street's "curb").
• Fiber to the node or neighborhood (FTTN): A fiber line serving hundreds of customers via a single node, with DSL lines often used to bridge the remaining connection.

These options involve several construction hurdles — including existing buried lines and utilities, building permits, and high costs—all of which can delay progress even on planned projects.

On top of that, states like Alaska or Hawaii face the additional challenges of rural and remote access, which often include rough terrain and expensive construction plans. As Angelo Corso, CEO of Wired Authority, puts it: "Rural areas span long distances with fewer homes and businesses, driving up the cost per mile of building fiber. Without public funding or incentives, providers often struggle to justify the investment." In other words, it's not quite as simple as turning on service to a new area or adding another node from a previously covered area.

This is where the fiber digital divide becomes most apparent: 50% of urban customers have access compared to 40% of rural customers — and in some states, that difference is much more drastic.

The consequences go beyond slow speeds: "Slow upload speeds common with non-fiber internet create unreliable connections for video calls and cloud-based applications," Corso notes. "Aside from being inconvenient, this directly limits remote work, online learning, and full participation in today's economy."

Even in areas with fiber networks, some would-be customers may experience the frustrations of uneven rollouts. Unfortunately, the demands of remote work and school can't wait until fiber is fully built out in your neighborhood.

If you've been waiting too long for reliable internet in a rural or remote area, you still have options. Though it might not be fiber, finding rural internet providers in your area will help you compare pricing for traditional cable and DSL against wireless alternatives like satellite or 5G.