Washington is No. 1 in the nation for broadband, according to TechNet’s newly released report. GeekWire.com reports that state officials are claiming the top ranking as confirmation that Washington prioritizes “high speed Internet access.”
TechNet’s 2012 State Broadband Index studies access to broadband networks, the population of online users, and the economic structure that drives and supports broadband innovation and investment for new uses. States are rated for their “broadband adoption, network quality, and economic structure.” Washington leads the nation largely due to the state’s economic infrastructure and the presence of high-tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon that demand high speed connectivity. Washington is followed by Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, California, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Utah, and New York.
The last time TechNet measured states and broadband was in 2003, when just 15 percent of homes supported broadband subscriptions. In 2012, that percentage jumped to 68 percent, demonstrating how fast and furious the Internet age has advanced in the span of a decade.