Today, Vernonburg Group launched the 1H2026 edition of the Digital Opportunity Index. The Index, originally released in 2025, is the first benchmark of its kind. It is designed to evaluate how Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are addressing broadband availability and adoption.

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Despite decades of investment and innovation, tens of millions of U.S. households remain unconnected—especially in rural, low-income, and Tribal areas. Vernonburg Group developed the Digital Opportunity Index in 2025 to fill a critical gap: the absence of objective tools that assess, encourage, and reward intentional and transparent efforts by ISPs to close the digital divide.  

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The Index scores 14 publicly traded ISPs in the U.S. based on five indicators (with 15 sub-indicators): broadband availability in rural, low-income, and Tribal areas; affordability and quality of low-cost plans; digital skilling resources; community outreach and accessibility; and support for affordable devices. All metrics are based on publicly available data, emphasizing objectivity, transparency, and accountability. No ISP evaluated received a perfect score, but because these indicators are directly tied to the companies’ core business functions, the ISPs have the power to improve their scores.

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The ISPs received scores between AAA and CCC. In the 2026 Digital Opportunity Index, three companies received an AAA score, three earned AA, one earned A, six scored between BBB and B, one scored CCC. The Index highlights leading practices while identifying areas for continued progress.

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While broadband is a foundational enabler of economic and civic life, it has long been overlooked in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. The Digital Opportunity Index represents a pragmatic evolution of ESG—focusing specifically on broadband availability and adoption, two areas vital to comprehensive growth and digital advancement.

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The 1H2026 edition of the Digital Opportunity Index offers a clear, measurable approach to understanding where ISPs are stepping up in expanding broadband availability and adoption—and where more work is needed. We applaud providers that have improved their scores between releases of the Index and the commitment they've demonstrated to achieving broadband for all. ISPs can use their scores to benchmark and improve their performance, investors can direct capital toward those driving real-world progress, and policymakers will have a clearer, more comprehensive picture of ISPs’ progress on broadband availability and adoption.

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Read the Report and Take Action

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The Digital Opportunity Index is more than a benchmark—it’s a tool to guide investment, policy, and operational decisions that expand broadband access and help close the digital divide. Whether you're a provider, investor, regulator, or analyst, this Index provides the insight needed to move from intention to impact. Vernonburg Group will continue to release new editions of the Index and hopes that the Index and its accompanying publication will inform meaningful investment decisions and policy design, and support ISPs as they continue to prioritize actions that expand digital opportunity for all.

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Download the report here.