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

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More