Study backs open access to broadband networks

15.10.2009

Overall, the U.S. ranks in the middle of developed countries in most measures of broadband success, according to the Berkman study's analysis, which took into consideration data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and other sources, including tests of Internet access using Speedtest.net. The country ranked 15th on broadband penetration per 100 people but 19th in 3G (third-generation) wireless penetration. The picture was brighter for the U.S. in Wi-Fi hotspots per 100,000 people, with a ranking of 9th, and in median upload speeds and in a broad measure of prices for low-speed broadband, where it ranked fifth in both.