Cable and Fiber Optics Are Fastest (chart)
Internet service providers are boosting download speeds, but not all of our survey respondents are taking advantage of them, either because faster speeds aren't yet available in their areas, or because they aren't willing to pay a premium for them.
Click the image below for a comparison of the various Internet connection types' speeds, availability, and pricing.
| Connection type | Downloadspeeds offered
|
Survey respondents' average stated download speed
|
Survey respondents' average monthly cost
| Availability
|
Comments |
| Broadband over Power Line (BPL) | 256 kbps-3 mbps | Insufficient data | Insufficient data | IN, OH, PA, VA | BPL allows high upload speeds, but unshielded power lines used to carry Internet communications may cause interference with radio communications. |
| Cable | 3 mbps-30 mbps | 5.7 mbps | $42.45 | Nationwide | Cable providers have boosted speeds of late, but they haven't cut prices to compete with DSL. |
| Dial-up | 56 kbps | 56 kbps | $22.00 | Nationwide | Subscriptions are nose-diving in favor of broadband but it's still the most widely available service. |
| DSL | 768 kbps-7.1 mbps | 2.9 mbps | $32.30 | Nationwide | Available for as little as $13 per month, DSL costs considerably less than cable, but it's significantly slower, too. |
| Fiber optic | 6 mbps-50 mbps | 9.6 mbps | $36.35 | CA, CN, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, TX, VA, WA | Though still far less common than cable or DSL, the technology is catching on quickly with subscribers, and it has plenty of room to grow. |
| Fixed wireless | 256 kbps-3 mbps | 1.6 mbps | $43.80 | CA, NM, PA, TX | While you can find a wireless connection in almost any coffee shop, using one to connect directly to an ISP is a relatively new concept. A few municipalities offer inexpensive access. |
| Satellite | 512 kbps-1.5 mbps | 720 kbps | $63.10 | Nationwide | You no longer have to use a dial-up modem for uploads over satellite, and it's available where no other broadband option is, but it's still pricey and relatively slow. |
| FOOTNOTES: | |||||
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