The average upload and download internet speeds in the United States

Matthew Harrington
Internet Provider Comparisons

As we all know, the average internet speed in the United States has constantly increased over the past few years. In 2012, the average speed in the US was only 5.8 Mbps. But according to Akamai’s State of the Internet Report for the first quarter of 2017, it has now increased to 18.7 Mbps.

As of 2022, the average speed is currently sitting at 119.03 Mbps - what a massive jump! This is a very significant leap, and it is good news for everyone who uses the internet in the States. However, there are still some parts of the country where the average internet speeds are quite low. HomeLinkd takes a more in-depth look at the average internet speeds across the U.S. and what to expect in the future.

A look at the internet speeds over the years in the United States

The evolution of the internet in the U.S. has been pretty amazing. In just a few years, we have gone from dial-up speeds to fiber optic internet that is up to 1,000 times faster.

Here is a look at how the average internet speeds have risen over the years:

2012: 5.8 Mbps

2014: 11.4 Mbps

2016: 17.2 Mbps

2018: 25.6 Mbps

2020: 42.86 Mbps

2021: 99.3 Mbps

2022: 119.03 Mbps

As you can see, the average internet speed is more than twice as fast as it was in the last four years alone. And it is only going to continue to rise as more and more people get access to high-speed internet.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a good internet connection should be able to download data at a rate of at least 25 Mbps.

So, as you can see, the average speed in the U.S. is well above what the FCC considers to be a good internet connection.

The average download speed in the U.S for 2022 was 204 Mbps

According to the latest data from Ookla, the average download speed in the U.S for 2022 was 204 Mbps.

This is a pretty significant jump from 2021, when the average download speed was only 143 Mbps.

So what does this mean for you? Well, if you have a high-speed internet network, you should be doing online activities such as downloading movies, TV shows, and games much faster than you could before. And even faster this year.

The average upload speed in the U.S for 2022 was 74 Mbps

The average upload speed in the United States for 2022 was 74 Mbps.

Also an impressive jump from the previous year, when the average upload speed was only 46 Mbps.

For internet users, this high-speed internet connection means that you should be able to upload photos, videos, and files much faster from your desktop to your tablet than you could before.

Why is the average internet speed in the U.S slower than in other countries?

Although the national average speed for 2022 was 119.3 Mbps, and the ongoing trend has been increasing steadily over the past few years, it is still slower than many other countries.

For example, the average internet speed in Monaco is 144.29 Mbps, while the average internet speed in Iceland is 191.83 Mbps.

So why is the average internet speed in the United States slower than in other countries?

There are a few reasons for this:

  1. The United States has a large landmass, which makes it difficult to provide high-speed internet to all parts of the country.
  2. Many people in rural areas do not have access to high-speed internet.
  3. The majority of people in the United States still have broadband internet, which is slower than fiber optic internet.

Despite these challenges, the average internet speed in the United States is still increasing, and it is expected to continue to increase in the future.

Top six states with the fastest internet speeds

Now that we’ve looked at the average internet speeds in the United States, let’s take a look at the states with the fastest internet speeds.

Here are the top six states that had the fastest internet speeds in the United States for 2022:

1. Virginia – 193.1 Mbps

2. Delaware – 139.9 Mbps

3. Massachusetts – 188.2 Mbps

4. Maryland – 196.2 Mbps

5. New Jersey – 144.7 Mbps

6. Rhode Island - 163.1 Mbps

If you live in one of these states, you should be able to enjoy high-speed internet on your desktop, laptop, or smartphone without any problems.

Top five states with the slowest internet speeds

Now that we’ve looked at the states with the fastest internet speeds, let’s take a look at the states with the slowest speeds. Internet speeds are more than twice the average speed in states like Delaware and New Jersey than those in the rural states at the bottom.

Here are the top five states with the slowest internet speeds, which are mostly based in the west:

1. Alaska – 17.03 Mbps

2. Montana – 25.70 Mbps

3. Wyoming – 29.82 Mbps

4. South Dakota – 17.38 Mbps

5. North Dakota – 56 Mbps

The slowest speeds were mostly found in the more rural areas of the U.S. If you live in one of these states, you may have difficulty accessing high-speed internet. However, there are still ways to get fast internet, even in rural areas.

The future of internet speeds in the United States

As you can see, the projected trends of high-speed internet in the United States look very bright. With the average internet speed of 2022 sitting at 119.03 Mbps, it is set to continue increasing in the years to come.

As the infrastructure continues to expand and grow, the need for qualified workers will continue to increase. With the expansion of the internet and the increasing reliance on computers and other digital devices, the demand for qualified IT professionals will continue to grow. In addition, as more businesses move into the online space, the need for qualified web developers and designers will also continue to grow.

So if you are looking for a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, now is the time to get one. HomeLinkd can help you find the best internet service provider in your area and get you set up with a plan that meets your needs.

Are you below the average internet speed? 5 tips to increase your internet speed

If you are below the average internet speed, here are a few things you can do to try and increase your speed:

1. Check your internet connection

One of the first things you should do is check your internet connection to see if there is anything that could be causing a problem.

2. Update your router

If you have an old router, it may not be able to handle a high-speed internet connection. Updating your router to a newer model can help increase your speeds.

3. Use a wired connection

If you are using a wireless connection, you may not be getting the full speed of your internet connection. Try connecting your computer directly to your router with an Ethernet cable to see if that helps.

4. Close unused programs and tabs

Having too many programs and tabs open can slow down your computer and internet connection. Try closing anything you are not using to free up some resources.

5. Call your ISP

If you’ve tried all of these things and you are still having problems, it may be time to call your ISP and ask them what they can do to help increase your speed.

What is the minimum speed needed for a good internet connection?

While the average internet speed in the United States is 119.03 Mbps, that doesn’t mean that you need a connection that fast.

For most people, a minimum download speed of 10 Mbps is enough for basic web browsing and streaming video. However, if you are a heavy internet user or you have multiple devices connected to your internet, you may need a faster connection of at least 25 Mbps.

Get faster broadband speeds for your home With HomeLinkd

With the introduction of technology like fiber internet and 5G, America's average speeds will surely increase over the next few years - where even the slowest average speeds will be considered super quick in most countries.

If you are looking for a high-speed internet connection and performance, HomeLinkd can help you find the best internet provider in your area. Our comprehensive guidelines and tools will show you all of the available providers in your area so you can compare them and find the one that best meets your needs.

HomeLinkd can also help you find the best deals on internet service so you can save money on your monthly bill. So if you are looking for a faster internet connection, be sure to check out HomeLinkd today.

Browse our list of the fastest internet options.

Written by:
Matthew Harrington

I’m Matthew, your go-to tech enthusiast who loves diving deep into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of all things technology. My day job? Breaking down complex systems so you don’t have to! When I’m not geeking out over the latest gadgets, you’ll find me exploring new coding languages or reading about future tech trends. I believe every technical problem has a solution, and I’m here to guide you through them, step by step.

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