OpenVault Data Shows Massive Usage Increase

DOCSIS 3.1 and higher services are driving significant across-the-board increases in speed and consumption, most notably a 3X rise in median usage, according to a first of its kind study in the 3Q2025 edition of the OpenVault Broadband Insights (OVBI) report.

Median monthly usage for DOCSIS 3.1 subscribers in the third quarter of 2025 was 530.54 GB, 207.7% higher than the median monthly usage of 172.43 GB for subscribers on legacy DOCSIS 3.0 plant. In addition average monthly total, downstream and upstream usage all were 80% higher or more for DOCSIS 3.1 subscribers than for DOCSIS 3.0 households, specifically:

For this edition of the OVBI, OpenVault utilized data collected by its SaaS suite of broadband management solutions across contiguous DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 3.0 networks servicing more than 100,000 homes. Data sources included the Vantage PNM proactive network maintenance and Vantage PMA profile management application products that are helping operators provide the pristine environment required to optimize DOCSIS 3.1 performance.

The networks studied exhibited increases of more than 53% in downstream (624 Mbps vs. 407 Mbps) and upstream (66.4 Mbps vs. 43.37 Mbps) speeds. Further, consumers on DOCSIS 3.1 networks are more than twice as likely to be Power Users of 1 TB or more per month, and more than three times as likely to be in the emerging category of Extreme Power Users of 5 TB or more.

Almost one-fourth – 23.57% – of DOCSIS 3.1 subscribers used 1 TB or more during 3Q25, 118.20% more than the 10.80% on DOCSIS 3.0 plant, while the 0.19% of subscribers consuming 5 TB or more was 221.70% more than the 0.06% on DOCSIS 3.0. Data also showed that 5.01% of DOCSIS 3.1 subscribers were Super Power Users of 2 TB or more, vs. 1.87% of DOCSIS 3.0 households, an increase of 167.90%.

As always, the latest edition of the OVBI analyzes data from millions of broadband subscribers to uncover patterns that impact network performance, operator revenue, and customer satisfaction. The 3Q25 edition also includes an update of the network health metrics that quantify how Proactive Network Management (PNM) and Profile Management Application (PMA) technologies can support broadband providers’ technology and business objectives.

“While network pressure is stabilizing, absolute levels remain elevated, reinforcing the continued need for proactive capacity planning, upstream optimization, and intelligence-driven demand modeling going into 2026,” the report concludes. “DOCSIS 3.1 clearly has emerged as a driver of increased consumption; to maximize the DOCSIS 3.1 experience, broadband providers should invest in Profile Management Application and Proactive Network Maintenance solutions that can optimize network performance.”

The entire report is available at openvault.com/resources/ovbi/.