U.S. Wireless Plans Slip Over 10% in Real Terms as Speeds Surge

*TL;DR: Inflation‑adjusted unlimited wireless plans dropped over 10% in the last year, even as download speeds rose 51% and data use climbed 32%.

The CTIA Wireless Affordability Tracker shows U.S. consumers paying less for mobile service despite broader price pressures. Prices for typical unlimited plans fell more than 10% after adjusting for inflation, marking a 35% decline over the past five years. Prepaid options fell even faster, slipping more than 51% in the same period.

A typical unlimited plan now costs about $55 per month, while some prepaid plans dip below $10. The Consumer Price Index confirms the trend, recording a 6.6% drop in wireless service prices last year and a 41% decline over the last decade, contrasting with a 2.7% rise in overall consumer prices.

Speed and usage metrics reinforce the value shift. Average download speeds increased 51% year‑over‑year, and consumers consumed 32% more data in the same timeframe. The effective cost per gigabyte fell more than 21% last year and 40% over two years, sharpening the price‑performance equation.

CTIA attributes the gains to heightened competition and continued 5G network investment. Fixed‑wireless broadband added millions of subscribers in 2025, nudging home internet prices down about 3%. Taxes and fees now represent roughly 27.6% of an average wireless bill, tempering some of the headline savings.

The shrinking share of household spending on wireless—down more than 15% since 2020 to about 1.7%—highlights the sector’s growing affordability. As carriers expand 5G coverage and prepaid options proliferate, consumers can expect further price pressure and performance gains.

What to watch next: Monitor how upcoming 5G spectrum auctions and potential regulatory changes could influence pricing dynamics and network rollout speed in the coming year.