CNET Survey Finds Most of Us Have Wi-Fi Disconnections. Here’s What the Problem Could Be

Wi-Fi isn’t a luxury, but an essential part of our everyday lives. It’s no longer a minor inconvenience when your internet connection randomly cuts out during a virtual work call or TV show, or while you’re completing your taxes online. 

Last year, CNET’s broadband survey found that home internet prices continue to increase. At the time of the survey, US adults paid, on average, $195 more than in 2024, and 51% of those who saw bill increases still had unreliable internet. 

This story is part of Crossing the Broadband Divide, CNET’s coverage of how the country is working toward making broadband access universal.

Despite the high cost of internet service, CNET recently found that 86% of US adults experience Wi-Fi signal drops or disconnections. Even worse, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) have ongoing Wi-Fi problems, sometimes on a daily basis. 

CNET’s broadband expert, Joe Supan, says more US adults experience