State-by-state report shows little improvement in U.S. Internet speeds

Speed Matters has released our second annual state-by-state Internet speed report, and the results show the U.S. still has a long way to go to catch up with the rest of the world.

Our report found the average U.S. Internet speed was 2.3 megabits per second (mbps), representing a minimal gain of 0.4 mbps over last year's average speed. At this rate, it will take us more than a hundred years to catch up to Japan, where average speeds are estimated at 63 mbps.

But as CWA President Larry Cohen said, Americans can't wait that long:

"This isn’t about how fast someone can download a full-length movie. Speed matters to our economy and our ability to remain competitive in a global marketplace. Rural development, telemedicine and distance learning all rely on truly high-speed, universal networks."

The new report is based on data from nearly 230,000 Internet users who took the Speed Matters Speed Test -- almost three times the number of tests taken for last year's inaugural state-by-state report. The fastest states were Rhode Island, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts, while the slowest speeds were in rural states: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and Alaska.

This shows the clear need for policies that help boost high speed Internet access in all parts of the U.S., and particularly in remote and lightly populated areas.

One strong step in this direction would be passage of the Broadband Data Improvement Act (S.1492), an crucial piece of legislation that will help our government determine which parts of the country have high speed access and which do not.

The new Speed Matters state-by-state report is an important indicator of the need for a national high speed Internet policy, but making that a reality will take the commitment of our government, the private sector, and the American people.

Speed Matters State-By-State Internet Speed Report

Speed Matters Speed Test

80,000 Speed Testers Send a Powerful Message (Speed Matters)

Senator Inouye Introduces Broadband Data Improvement Act (Speed Matters)