Reports reveal that the United States' Internet connection has sped up threefolds compared with that in 2011. This is to keep up consumers' demand to stream videos and download other applications.
The Fedral Communications Commission (FCC) on its fifth annual Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband has revealed on Wednesday that Internet connection increased to about 31mbps in September 2014 from the 10mbps in March 2011. Over that span of time also, even offers from Internet service providers have risen from 12--20mbps to 50--150mbps.
On the other hand, tech giants are also offering an Internet connection speed of up to 1000mbps. Google Inc. made it available to nine cities, while AT&T in 20 cities and plans to add 36 areas more in 2016. On the other hand, Comcast Corporation has revealed last week that in Philadelphia, it is currently testing its own 1000mbps service. The company will soon offer the same service to other areas next year.
Despite the tremendous improvement the country has on its Internet access, the United States still lags compared with other countries. In fact, according to the FCC, in 2013, USA places only 25th among the 39 nations. It is trailing behind nations like Canada, France, Germany and Japan but is faster than Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Israel. With an offer of 47.32mbps, Luxembourg has the fastest.
Among the Internet service providers, Cablevision Systems Corporation ranks the fastest average download speed of 60mbps. Meanwhile, Verizon Communications and Charter Communications rank second at 50mbps, third is Cox Communications with 40mbps and fourth in the list is Comcast at 35mbps.
"Advances in network technology are yielding significant improvements in broadband speeds and quality," Tom Wheeler, FCC Chairman, said in a statement. "Faster, better broadband will unleash new innovations and new services to improve the lives of the American people."
