25 Megabits Per Second
Currently in the political region known as the United States, a broadband connection is defined as being able to sustain a 25 megabits per second download speed.
This definition, like all definitions in human thinking, is arbitrary.
Living in a rural region, I am fortunate to have an internet connection through a conscientious wireless provider (WISP). Service is dependable and reliable.
On good day I do not see half the arbitrarily defined download speed. I monitor my connection with cron jobs and the best speed I ever saw was less than half the defined speed. I do not recall ever seeing double digit download speeds.
Generally, my average speed hovers between 7 and 8 Mbits per second. Environment and weather plays a role in average speeds. Summer brings more humid and less dense air and tree foliage. Speeds decline during those months. Winter is the opposite. Significant rain storms often affects overall network response, sometimes damaging key infrastructure components such as access point routers on towers.
Customer load plays a role too. My speeds decline between 6 and 10 PM. Speeds peak at about 2 to 3 AM.
A significant number of customers for the WISP buy the base package, which is about 2 to 3 Mbits per second down. Most are content with those speeds.
Rural life is different from urban life. Generally, rural inhabitants do not embrace a psychology of instant gratification. Netflix is not a high priority among many rural habitants. Or any other kind of video streaming, such as sports. That is not to be construed that rural people do not enjoy movies or sports, or that Netflix is something foreign to rural people. Only that such activities are not considered a minimal standard of living.
Overall I am content with the speeds I see. I suspect that urbanites would find the speeds testing their patience.
Posted: Category: Usability Tagged: General
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