CTIA reports US wireless data usage reached 159.3 trillion MB in 2026—still a record, but the year-over-year growth rate has slowed versus recent years. CTIA forecasts demand could be 4x higher by 2032, with AI traffic growing faster than traditional usage. Dealers should pivot from “more data” hype to “better experience” selling: Wi‑Fi offload, device upgrades, fixed wireless comparisons, and connected-device bundles.

Broadband Nation Expo (BBNE) is coming to New Orleans Nov. 18–20, 2026 with the theme “Broadband & Beyond: The Next Era of End-to-End Connectivity.” The agenda is built around three tracks—Hybrid Horizons, Built to Last, and No AI Without Broadband—and adds a co-located Data Center Excellence Summit focused on scaling infrastructure behind the AI economy. Early bird pricing ends Sept. 17.

Verizon signed a $1 billion fiber deal with Google to deliver high-speed, reliable connectivity to Google data centers—part of a broader push into AI-era infrastructure. CEO Dan Schulman says more deals will be announced by the end of 2026, totaling “multiple billions” in revenue over the next several years. Verizon also reported mixed consumer broadband momentum: 193K new fixed wireless subs (6.2M total) vs 155K new fiber subs (10.9M total).

Total Wireless is advertising unlimited 5G for $25/month, plus promotions that include free home internet and free phones for eligible customers. For dealers, this is a strong “bill drop” pitch for price-sensitive families—especially anyone frustrated by postpaid increases. The win is qualifying correctly (lines, autopay, port-in, device requirements) and attaching accessories, setup, and backup connectivity so the customer leaves fully equipped.

AT&T has quietly returned to New York’s home broadband market, confirming it has resumed offering Internet Air fixed wireless after exiting in early 2025 over the state’s Affordable Broadband Act (ABA). The law requires large providers to offer discounted broadband—down to $20/month—for eligible low-income households. AT&T hasn’t said what changed, but dealers can use the return to win home internet signups, especially for budget-focused families and prepaid customers.

A new Cartesian report says US broadband competition accelerated in H2 2025: over half of households can choose between two or more fiber/cable providers, and symmetrical 1 Gbps availability expanded faster than the prior three years combined. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA/5G home internet) mostly grew in mid-speed tiers, with 38% of locations able to access at least two FWA providers.