As part of a study conducted between January and June 2011 by Pando Networks, a company that provides online "content delivery solutions," examined which states possess the fastest Internet speeds and download completion rates.
By tracking the downloads of 4 million users across the United States, Pando Networks' data found that each state is not equal, at least in terms of Internet connectivity speed.
"The most striking findings were the core differences between the average speeds on a state-by-state basis," reported Pando Networks in its "Nationwide ISP and Network Study." "The data indicates that the fastest state...was almost three times faster than the slowest."
On a regional scale, the Mid-Atlantic region contains eight of the ten fastest states. On the other hand, the West coast has three states in the top 15. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the rural Midwest and Mountain-West states represent nine of the ten slowest states overall. Pando Networks suspects that widespread populations and a lower demand for high-speed infrastructure could be the underlying reason for slow connectivity in middle-America.
Unlike Pando Networks, which found Rhode Island to be the fastest state in terms of Internet speed, Akamai Technologies conducted a similar study as part of its quarterly "State of the Internet" report, and determined that Delaware boasted the quickest web connection. Akamai's study also analyzed global data, which found South Korea boasted the world's fastest Internet speeds.
Earlier this year, the FCC launched 'The National Broadband Map', to help residents identify the fastest internet service providers (ISPs) in their region. It's worth checking out if you are in the market for an ISP upgrade.
Lastly, it's important to note that broadband is no longer a luxurious alternative to dial-up, but rather an essential asset for many professionals. Wall street traders know the telecom speed game better than anyone, but more businesses are realizing the benefits that come with using a reliable and fast Internet connection.
With that said, check out the 10 states with the fastest Internet speeds below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Key: KBps = Kilobytes Per Second
