Study: U.S. Internet Speed Lags Behind Other Major Countries

CYBERSPACE – A recent study finds that the United States is lagging behind most major industrialized countries in Internet speed.

The Communications Workers of America, or CWA, ran the study, which reported that the United States has not improved or deployed enough fast broadband Internet access over the last year.

The report's findings look grim. From 2007 to 2008, the United States only marginally increased the speed at which consumers can upload and download data to and from the Internet.

For perspective, the report finds that the median download speed for the United States to be less than 10 megabits per second. Broadband consumers in Japan, by contrast, can download information at more than 60 megabits per second.

"At this rate, it will take the United States more than 100 years to catch up with current Internet speeds in Japan," the report reads.

The CWA based its report on speed tests run on approximately 230,000 computers. Not surprisingly, speeds in urban areas outstripped those in rural areas. Wyoming placed 48th out of the 50 states in download speed, while Rhode Island boasted the fastest Internet access in the country.

"You are in a place where there are a lot of challenges," Debbie Goldman, representative for the study, said. "The amount of revenue that a company can make in a rural area, the number of customers it can connect - and therefore make money off of – is much lower."

The CWA is a national labor union that represents more than 700,000 workers across the country. The union also has ties with the AFL-CIO, the Canadian Labour Congress, and Union Network International.

The CWA has established a homepage for this study at SpeedMatters.org. The full report is available in an interactive form online.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Show More