I’m sure this will come as no surprise for most of us…
According to last year’s American Customer Satisfaction Index—a yearly measure of consumer satisfaction for a broad range of U.S. companies—internet service providers (ISPs) are the most disliked companies in America.
They were ranked even lower than airlines. And people hate airlines.
In the most recent report, ISPs received an industry rating of 62. That’s the lowest rating across every industry the index monitors and the lowest overall since its inception:
Yet this isn’t a new trend. ISPs have consistently been ranked the most-hated industry in America.
For anyone who’s called their ISP to fix a stalled internet connection (or worse, dispute a mysterious new charge on their bill), this statistic isn’t a surprise. It can be an immensely frustrating process.
But I have good news…
Thanks to a new, developing technology, legacy ISPs like Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) and Comcast (also known as Xfinity) will be forced to improve the quality of their customer service and support.
On top of that, on average, the internet in your home will be at least five times faster.
Pseudo-Monopolies
So why is it that ISPs are so hated?
One of the main reasons is, these companies exist as “pseudo-monopolies.”
You see, while there are several ISPs across the country, they hardly have competition. Their territories rarely overlap. So for most households, consumers only have one choice for high-speed internet access.
A recent report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that only a bit over one-third of the population has more than one ISP offering the FCC’s minimum broadband internet speed (25 Mbps).
So if you live in the Midwest, you likely have Mediacom. New York residents mostly have Spectrum. And on the West Coast? You’re probably an Xfinity customer.
With this lack of competition, these companies have no incentive to improve their customer service or provide better products.
After all, they know their customers won’t leave. Not having an internet connection is simply not an option today.
Thankfully, this won’t be the case much longer. A new, emerging technology is challenging these incumbent ISPs. And the infrastructure enabling it is now being built in many developed markets.
It’ll bring badly needed competition to the space—giving consumers choices for their at-home internet service…
The 5G Threat
Wireless network providers like AT&T, Verizon, and the soon-to-be-merged T-Mobile and Sprint will threaten legacy ISPs. These companies are currently funding the buildout of 5G networks in the U.S.
Now, fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology is one of the biggest trends this year—one I’m deeply connected with. I’ve worked for many years as an executive in the wireless industry with the top network operators around the world.
On average, 5G networks will be 100 times faster than the 4G ones we use today. And the earliest 5G home internet services will be over five times faster than the average ISP speed (60 Mbps).
5G will enable a suite of new technologies: fleets of self-driving cars, holographic telecommunications, and even robotic surgeries performed from thousands of miles away.
But there’s a delay between these 5G networks being built out nationwide and deploying these new technologies. So for most of us, our first 5G experience will be through wireless home internet services…
Launching 5G Access
Right now, you likely have a cable modem in your home. It has a bunch of wires and connects to your local cable TV network. And setting them up can be a hassle.
But with a 5G wireless internet router, you’d only have one simple power cord to plug in. That’s it.
This isn’t far off in the future, either…
Verizon already offers 5G to customers in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Houston, and Indianapolis. And it just launched coverage in Atlanta, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., as well.
Now, the 5G router looks something like this:
Source: Verizon
So what sort of difference will this 5G home internet make?
Well, it’ll be far faster than anything ISPs have ever offered—as I mentioned, at least five times faster than today’s national average.
Movies that are hours long will download in a matter of seconds. Online voice and video calls will be crystal clear. And slow-loading web pages will be a thing of the past.
With that kind of service, why would anybody stay with incumbent ISPs?
Customers will leave in favor of 5G from wireless network companies instead.
It’s not just Verizon building out these 5G networks, either. AT&T is also building out its 5G networks. And T-Mobile isn’t far behind, aiming to have 1.9 million in-home 5G wireless broadband internet customers by 2021.
So don’t be surprised to see more 5G services offered by wireless carriers as the 5G rollout continues.
This tech isn’t years away. It’s happening right now. And it’ll impact our lives in ways few can predict.
So investors should be looking at companies providing network infrastructure critical to the 5G buildout. These key stocks in the space will soar.
American Tower (AMT) is one of these wireless communications infrastructure companies. It builds and maintains communications infrastructure like cell towers.
It was instrumental in the 4G buildout that started in 2011. And it’s also heavily involved in erecting and maintaining the towers used in the 5G rollout happening now.
Regards,
Jeff Brown
Editor, Exponential Tech Investor
P.S. 99% of investors will miss the 5G boom. And they’ll regret it for the rest of their lives. I encourage you not to be one of them. I expect key 5G stocks to soar as much as 10 times—and perhaps higher…
That’s why I’m hosting my free 5G investment summit, The Final Phase of the 5G Boom, tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET. I’ll reveal my stock-picking method for finding the fastest-moving 5G stocks. And I’ll even give you the name of the No. 1 5G company to add to your watchlist.
I haven’t revealed this research anywhere else. And the only way to claim it is by reserving your seat right here.