Beyond Buffering: The Best & Worst States for Broadband in 2023

Introduction to the Best & Worst States for Broadband

Are you tired of staring at that spinning loading icon while trying to stream your favorite show? Frustrated with the never-ending buffer that disrupts your video calls? We’ve all been there.

In this digital age where our lives are increasingly dependent on the internet, having fast and reliable broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

That’s why experts from Konnect My Home embarked on a mission to uncover the 50 states ranked best to worst for broadband in 2023, ranking all from top to bottom.

Imagine a world where you can seamlessly stream your favorite movies, connect with loved ones through crystal-clear video calls, and download large files in the blink of an eye.

Now, picture a world where slow internet speed and constant buffering become a daily struggle, hindering your productivity and leaving you frustrated. The discrepancy in broadband access across different states can create all the difference in your online experiences.

This blog will unveil the top-ranked states that boast lightning-fast internet speed and comprehensive connectivity infrastructure, ensuring their residents enjoy a seamless online experience.

Simultaneously, we’ll shed light on the worst-performing states, where slow internet speed and limited access to reliable connections can feel like a technological nightmare.

How We Ranked the States?

Okay, folks, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of how we came up with our rankings for the 50 states ranked best to worst in terms of broadband.

We’ve got a new and improved methodology that’s as quirky as it is effective. Buckle up because we’re about to get mildly technical and mildly amusing.

1. The Categories

First, we’ve got a bunch of categories that we weigh differently to ensure we cover all the important aspects. Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband takes the lead with a 35% weight, followed closely by Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband at 30%.

Then we’ve got Median Round Trip Time, Median Download Speed, and Median Upload Speed, each claiming 10% of the spotlight. And last but not least, Access to Fiber-Optic Service struts in with a sassy 5% weight.

2. The Access

Now, let’s talk about access. In the past, we had categories that included non-wired connections, but guess what? Those categories were about as impactful as a mosquito bite.

Plus, Starlink, the satellite internet provider, is making non-wired access obsolete. So, we said, “Bye-bye, non-wired connections!” and gave them the boot.

However, we couldn’t resist adding a shiny new category for access to fiber-optic service because, let’s face it, it’s the speed demon of the internet world.

3. The Quality

Moving on to quality, we decided that relying solely on download speed wasn’t giving us the full picture. We needed more spice, more pizzazz!

So, we brought in upload speed and round trip time, which measures latency. Depending on your internet habits, one of those three metrics could be your personal hero.

Whether you’re a fierce gamer obsessed with low latency, a live streamer hungry for fast uploads, or a casual one who just wants to binge-watch shows without interruptions, this section has got you covered.

To back up our rankings, we crunched over 106 million speed tests from the M-Labs NDT Data Set. We looked at upload speed, download speed, and round trip time. It was a wild data party, let us tell you.

4.  The Scoring

Now, let’s talk about scoring. Each state gets a score from 0 to 100 in each of the six categories. For the access categories, it’s a straightforward percentage score, so there is no funny business there.

As for the quality categories, we took the national 65^th percentile speed and gave it a perfect 100, while the national 35^th percentile speed slinked away with a zero.

Every state’s median speed falls somewhere in between, and that’s how we determined their scores.

With this out of our way, let’s get down to business and find out the 50 states ranked from best to worst.

Northeast US – Ruling the Best US States for Broadband

Alright, folks, get ready to witness the Northeast unleash its broadband domination like a crew of tech-savvy superheroes. It’s like they’ve got the Flash running through their internet cables, leaving the rest of us in their digital dust.

Maryland – Takes the Crown

According to BroadbandNow Research, Maryland snags the crown for the best overall state for broadband. They’re the Beyoncé of the internet, making us all bow down to their impressive coverage and lightning-fast speeds.

Right behind Maryland, we have New Jersey strutting its stuff, followed by the concrete jungle of New York, Delaware, and the tech wizardry of Washington. These states are like the Avengers of the broadband universe, a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Rhode Island – Where the Broadband is actually “Broad”

So, there’s more to this Northeastern saga. Rhode Island, the tiny state with big dreams of internet connectivity, steals the show with the highest percentage of broadband access—99.8 percent.

It’s like the whole state is enveloped in a digital web, catching Wi-Fi signals left and right. They’re practically swimming in the World Wide Web.

Washington – Low-Cost Broadband

Now, let’s talk about Washington State. Not content with just being in the overall top five, they go the extra mile with over 54 percent access to low-cost broadband.

They’re like the budgeting gurus of the internet world, proving that you don’t need to sell a kidney to get a decent internet plan. Other states take notes—Washington knows how to keep the internet fast and your wallet happy.

The Delaware – Dropping Broadband Bombs

Hold your horses because Delaware is here to drop some digital bombs. They boast the highest average download speed, hitting a whopping median of 92.5 megabytes per second.

That’s fast – like really, really fast. With speed like that, you can download anything you want in a blink of an eye. Delaware, you’re setting the bar sky-high!

So there you’ve it — out of the 50 states ranked best to worst, these states are like the cool kids at the digital party, rocking fast speed, widespread access, and budget-friendly plans.

West Virginia: Bottom of the Broadband Barrel

Oh, West Virginia, you found yourself at the bottom of the broadband barrel. It’s like you’re stuck in the dial-up era while the rest of the globe zooms past you with its high-speed connections.

Picture this: West Virginia, a picturesque state filled with the beauty of Appalachia and vast farmlands. It’s like a scene from a charming country song.

But when it comes to broadband, it is the awkward dancer at the prom, desperately trying to keep up with the cool kids.

According to the report, this state landed dead last in the rankings. Ouch! With a 65.8 percent access rate to broadband, it’s like the internet is playing hide-and-seek with it.

And let’s not forget the limited access to low-cost broadband, sitting at just a little over 11 percent. It’s like trying to find a unicorn in a haystack.

West Virginia Is Not Alone, Though…

West Virginia was joined by Alaska, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Vermont in the report’s bottom five. It’s like a sad reunion of states who just can’t catch a break in the broadband game.

And guess what? All five of these scored a big fat zero in the internet quality department. Latency – the total time it takes for the info to travel from one source to another, is a foreign concept in these states’ digital realm.

States in the “Zero Latency” Club

But fear not, West Virginia, because you’re not the only one facing internet hardships. In the list of 50 states ranked best to worst, sixteen states joined the “zero latency” club, including North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

This is like a support group for states struggling to keep up with the digital race.

Kansas, Alaska & South Carolina – The Slowpokes of Download Speeds

Now, let’s talk about the slowpokes of the download world. Kansas, they took the crown for the slowest average download speed, followed closely by Alaska and South Carolina. It’s like watching a snail run a marathon while the rest of other states zoom by on their rocket ships.

And Alaska, our dear state, joins South Carolina as the only two states with 0 percent access to low-cost broadband. It’s like a digital roller coaster ride, where the price tag keeps you clinging to the slow lane.

5 More States That Need To Improve Their Broadband

Vermont, New Mexico, Minnesota, Utah, and New Hampshire also joined the party, with an 11 percent access rate to low-cost broadband. Looks like the bargain hunters are in short supply.

So, for the folks living in these states – time to embrace your fall and keep fighting for a place in the digital race.

Remember, in half of the states, less than 20 percent of people have access to affordable internet options. Y’all may be at the bottom of the pack, but your determination and resilience will lead you to a brighter digital future. Stay strong, my friends!

In Summary

In a world where slow internet speeds and endless buffering can drive us all to the brink of madness, the importance of fast and reliable broadband cannot be overstated.

We’ve all experienced the frustration of staring at that spinning loading icon, desperately waiting for our favorite show to start streaming or our video calls to stop glitching. It’s enough to make even the most patient among us want to throw their router out the window.

It’s clear that the discrepancies in broadband access and quality across states can make a world of difference in our online experiences. But it’s vital to remember that change is possible.

By advocating for improved infrastructure and affordable internet options, we can work towards a future where every state can enjoy a seamless online experience.

Here’s a table showing you the 50 states ranked best to worst.

Konnect My Home – Connecting You in a Way No One Can!

Forget the 50 states ranked best to worst; do you need lightning-fast internet speed and uninterrupted connectivity? Look no further than Konnect My Home. We’re here to ensure that you stay ahead of the game in the digital arena, no matter what your needs may be.

Say goodbye to frustratingly slow internet speed and annoying disruptions. We get it – it is vital for you to have a reliable & fast internet connection, and that’s exactly what we deliver.

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So, if you’re ready to conquer the digital world with unbeatable speed and reliability, let us connect you with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that matches your needs. Get ready to be unstoppable in the online realm!