Average broadband speed in the United States is 3.9Mbps

Based on statistics gleaned from data accumulated by leading content delivery network provider, Akamai, the average Internet connection speed was 3.9Mbps in the third quarter of 2009. This figure effectively places the United States in eighteenth place globally, behind first-placed South Korea (14Mbps) and second-placed Japan (7.9Mbps).

If it is any consolation, the United States is ranked fifth when in terms of Internet connectivity around the world, though it is in fifteenth place in terms of broadband penetration. Of course, the definition of broadband can vary significantly depending on who you ask--Akamai defines speeds in excess of 2Mbps as broadband in this case.

While the figures might be largely academic, companies such as Cisco, which is working hard to bring a new breed of powerful video conferencing products to homes, will probably find it incredibly useful.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Ars Technica 

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