The average U.S. broadband speed was 18.7 Mbps in the first quarter of 2017, according to the latest Akamai State of the Internet report released today. That’s an 8.8% increase over the previous quarter and a 22% increase over the same period a year earlier. The U.S. currently ranks 10th worldwide measured by average broadband speed, behind nine Asian and European countries, Akamai said.
Just under half (48%) of U.S. broadband connections were at speeds above 15 Mbps, including 21% that were at speeds above 25 Mbps.
Average U.S. Broadband Speed by State
For the purposes of the Akamai report, the District of Columbia is considered a state – and as such, it had the highest average broadband speed nationwide, measured at 28.1 Mbps in first quarter, up 5.2% over the previous quarter and up 17% over the same period a year ago. Delaware, which often takes first place in Akamai’s ranking, came in second and was followed by seven other eastern states. In tenth place was the only non-eastern state in the top 10 — Utah, which had an average broadband speed of 20.7 Mbps.
Not surprisingly, the District of Columbia also had the highest percentage of broadband users connecting at speeds above 25 Mbps – 38%. Delaware came in second here, too, and again was followed by seven other eastern states. In tenth place at 24% was Washington – the only non-eastern state in the top 10.
Rhode Island had the highest percentage of broadband users connecting at speeds above 15 Mbps – 66%. The other nine states in the top 10 also were in the eastern U.S.
Although not in the top 10, Michigan and Connecticut – as well as the top 10 states – had at least 50% of broadband users connecting at speeds above 15 Mbps, Akamai said.
