Newly Released CTAM Study: SMB Tech Trends
Explore how SMBs are perceiving and leveraging key connectivity technologies, as well as emerging trends in cybersecurity and AI that are shaping today’s evolving business landscape. Learn more

CTAM is driving double-digit customer growth and establishing cable as a national, reliable telecommunications partner.

Goals:

Establish business cable providers as leading telecommunication partners for local, national and global marketplaces through collaborative industry efforts and partnerships.

  • Generate local and national business leads for service providers through digital partnerships and via CTAM’s BusinessServicesConnect.com portal.
  • Create best-in-class indirect and partner programs through unified messaging and collective management of MSO and partner events.
  • Drive customer growth by establishing best practices for exceptional consumer experiences for SMB, Mid-market and Enterprise customers.

BusinessServicesConnect.com

An instant-locator tool for businesses to find business Internet, phone, TV and networking solution cable providers throughout the U.S. and create valuable business leads to participating MSOs.

SMB Resources and Info Center

From SMB cybersecurity tips to business experts and marketplace analysis, BusinessServicesConnect.com provides SMB IT resources, tools and articles resulting in curated SEO traffic and increased engagement that drives business leads for MVPD partners.

Social Media Efforts

Through personalized and dynamic creative posts on platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, BusinessServicesConnect.com continues to target audiences, drive awareness, increase engagement and drive SMB leads.

AI in the B2B Marketplace

Discover how AI is transforming the business services marketplace from customized solutions for SMB to enterprise customers and various verticals, as well as AI in the marketing sphere and customer service approaches.

The Impact of AI in the Telecom Segment

Presented by Courtney Munroe, IDC (Nov. 6, 2024)

Data Management for AI, or AI for Data Management?

Presented by Paige Bartley, S&P Global Market Intelligence (Nov. 6, 2024)

Integration of AI into Business Services IT

Presented by Mike Grebb, One Touch Intelligence (June 20, 2024)

Artificial Intelligence in Business Services

Presented by Comcast Business, Lead Researcher (March 6, 2024)

*Exclusive to CTAM members.
*Don’t have an account? Create a profile here to access this CTAM member information, as part of your company’s CTAM membership.

SMB Business Technology Trends: Connectivity, Security & AI Insights

CTAM 2025 SMB Business Technology Study
November 2025

Partnered with Independence Research, LLC

Explore how SMBs are perceiving and leveraging key technologies, as well as the emerging trends shaping today’s evolving business landscape. Discover valuable insights into competitive dynamics around fiber and fixed wireless broadband, the role of service bundling, emerging cybersecurity needs, and growing interest in AI – now available.

This complimentary and exclusive-member report bundle includes:

  • Technology Adoption Trends and Investment in Business Services
    Analyzing adoption patterns, perceptions, and spending on services such as cloud computing, fiber, fixed wireless, broadband solutions, and opportunities for service bundling.
  • The Strategic Role of AI as a Value-Added Service
    Exploring the significance of artificial intelligence offerings and business interest in integrating AI within bundled technology packages.
  • The Impact and Critical Importance of Cybersecurity Solutions
    A comprehensive examination of cybersecurity’s role in safeguarding business operations and its influence on organizational priorities.
  • Evolving Perceptions of 5G Technology
    Assessing how business attitudes toward 5G have changed over time and the factors driving this evolution.
  • Multi-Year Price-Lock Agreements: Effects on Customer Loyalty
    Investigating the influence of extended price-lock service agreements on business customer acquisition and retention.

The SMB Marketplace

Through the sharing of business challenges, practices, ideas and learnings, solutions are created to help small businesses across the country address their business services challenges and provided effective technology solutions.

Small Business Statistics:

  • In 2024, the U.S. had approximately 33.2 million businesses. (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Data indicates a surge in entrepreneurship in 2024, with the nation averaging 430,000 new business applications monthly, a 50% increase compared to 2019, and the subset of applications for businesses most likely to hire employees rising by 30%. (U.S. Census Bureau)

    +Report: Business Formation Statistics, Mar. 2025 (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Almost all businesses (33.3 million) qualify as small businesses, making up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. (U.S. Small Business Administration)
  • Nearly half (46%) of all U.S. employees are employed by a small business totaling 61.6 million people. (Forbes Advisor)

SMB Ownership Profile:

  • Despite the Millennial generation considered to be highly entrepreneurial, Millennials own just 13% of small businesses with the majority owned by Gen X (47%) and Boomers (40%). (Guidant Financial)
  • Over 25% of business is conducted online totaling 2.64B e-commerce shoppers. (Statista / IBISWorld)
  • The leisure and hospitality industry has the highest average of jobs added per month over last year (an average of 52K jobs per month). (Forbes Advisor)
  • However, the home health and personal care industry is projected to experience the most significant job growth (as estimated 22%, translating to 804K new jobs) in the next decade. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS)

Minority-Owned Businesses

  • While males still own a majority of small businesses, the gap is closing with 43% owned by women, as well as growing ownership among racial minorities (20%) with 15% owned specifically by Hispanics. Despite this, veterans continue to be one of the least-represented groups, owning just 6% of small businesses in the U.S. (Forbes Advisor)
  • There are approximately 5.9 million U.S. employer firms. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
    • 1.3 million (22.3%) were owned by women
    • 1.3 million (22.6%) were minority-owned
    • 273K (4.7%) were veteran-owned
  • Veteran-owned businesses had an estimated $884.5 billion in receipts, 3.2 million employees, and $179.7 billion in annual payroll. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
  • Women-owned businesses had an estimated $2.1 trillion in receipts, 11.4 million employees, and $508.5 billion in annual payroll. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
  • There were an estimated 650,680 Asian-owned businesses in the United States, an estimated 144,141 (22.2%) of them were in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. Asian-owned businesses had the largest estimated receipts ($1.2 trillion) among minority race groups. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
  • There were an estimated 194,585 Black or African American-owned businesses with $211.8 billion in annual receipts, 1.6 million employees, and about $61.2 billion in annual payroll. About 49,872 (25.6%) of them were in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
  • There were an estimated 47,519 American Indian and Alaska Native-owned businesses with $78.5 billion in receipts; 333,153 employees; and approximately $14.6 billion in annual payroll. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
  • There were an estimated 9,552 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander-owned businesses with approximately $13.8 billion in receipts; 68,795 employees; and $3.2 billion in annual payroll. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
  • The number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew about 14.6% from 406,086 in 2021 and made up about 7.9% of all U.S. businesses with an estimated $653.5 billion in annual receipts, 3.6 million employees, and approximately $143.2 billion in annual payroll. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024)
Business Services Connect: Lead Generation Portal

A business portal creating quality leads for new commercial service accounts particularly among the SMB marketplace.

  • Delivered over 45,000 leads in 2024 at an average cost per lead of $16.80
  • Digital marketing program delivered almost 16,000 leads in 2024 at an average CPL of $37, through social (Facebook), PerformanceMax and SEM
  • Enhanced SEO and organic traffic optimization strategies resulting in over 3,000 business leads in 2024

Business Services In the News

Mobile, Broadband Bundles from Charter and Comcast Could Be a Hit with Businesses (Light Reading)

Charter’s and Comcast’s new MVNO agreement with T-Mobile will make the business market more competitive.

Spectrum Business Brings EverPass to Xumo Stream Box  (TheDesk.net)

Charter has partnered with EverPass Media to bring its streaming app to the Xumo Stream Box for Spectrum business customers allowing clients to access high-profile sports likeNFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass.

Comcast Business Expands with Nitel Acquisition (TV Tech)

Comcast Business closes Nitel acquisition expanding its presence in connectivity, secure networking solutions and advanced technology.

Comcast Brings Wi-Fi 6E Gateway to Multi-Dwelling Units (TV Tech)

Comcast’s new gateway uses Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E technology to provide building-wide connectivity for multi-dwelling units featuring the Multifamily Xfinity Broadband Gateway, which include “Instant On” Wi-Fi, letting residents download an app to get connected rather than installing equipment, as well as gigabit-speed internet for Xfinity Mobile customers.

FCC Halts Plans to Ban Bulk Billing Arrangements (Policyband)

FCC Chair Brendan Carr has halted a proposal to ban bulk billing arrangements between internet service providers and property managers arguing that such arrangements provide cost savings and better service.

Comcast Targets SMBs with Universal Ads (CNBC)

Comcast plans to launch a new advertising platform that will make it easier for smaller businesses to buy ad time on streaming services more like that of buying them on platforms like Meta or YouTube in order to beckon some advertisers over to traditional TV’s streaming businesses.

SpaceX Starlink Lands Major Partnership with Comcast Business (Light Reading)

Under its new partnership, Comcast Business is broadening its access to broadband in areas unserved or underserved by wireline networks by enabling its enterprise customers to connect to Starlink’s LEO satellite network.

Comcast Raises Speeds for Business Subscribers (Telecompetitor)

Comcast Business has increased speeds for its Ultimate Speed for Business service and introduced DOSCIS 4.0 technology in some areas.

The Buildout: Washington Approves $20M for Broadband (Light Reading)

The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) has approved $21 Million in infrastructure funding, including $20 million in loans and grants to expand broadband access in unserved communities to help connect 6,000 businesses, homes, farms and community anchor institutions.

T-Mobile, Verizon Want to Carve Up UScellular – WSJ Report (Light Reading)

According to The Wall Street Journal, T-Mobile is looking to buy $2 billion worth of UScellular in a deal that could be announced this month. Verizon, meanwhile, is considering a deal for some of the rest.