New Report Shows U.S. Lagging Behind in High-Speed Internet Connectivity

The United States ranks 8th place out of 26 countries in the percentage of "high-speed Internet" connections, countries according to Akamai's new State of the Internet report.

The US ranks 8th with only 26 percent of Internet connection at download speeds over 5Mbps. South Korea, which ranks 1st on the list, has 58 percent of Internet connections at speeds of 5 mbps or greater. Some of the other countries that rank above the U.S. are Romania, Sweden, Belgium, and Denmark.

With only 26% of all Internet connections reaching speeds above 5Mbps, a small percentage relative to other nations, the U.S. is having trouble staying competitive globally. Unlike other advanced nations, the United States' does not have a comprehensive high speed Internet policy.

President-Elect Obama pledged throughout his campaign to establish national policy regarding high speed Internet to bring the benefits of universal affordable high-speed to jumpstart the economy, create jobs, and improve health care, education, energy efficiency and everyday life for all Americans.

A comprehensive national broadband policy that includes financial investment of truly high speed networks - South Korea and Japan used tax incentives to achieve their high ranking, bridges the digital divide and provides more high speed access to people who need it, will help the U.S. up to the top of Akamai's rankings in the near future.

Akamai State of the Internet Report

Report: Romania Soars Past U.S. in High-Speed Internet Connectivity (Beet TV))