Delaware residents enjoy the best broadband in the nation, according to an annual study that looks at internet quality.
Every year, BroadbandNow Research releases a detailed report ranking states by internet quality. The group analyzes speed tests, internet accessibility, and the number of internet providers available in each state.
From the rise of cord cutting to the pandemic lockdown, the last few years have shown how important a good internet connection is to our lives. It’s no longer a nice to have, but something critical for our work and entertainment.
This year, Delaware ranks as having the best internet overall. States filling out the top 10 slots have the most variety of internet providers, offer universal broadband access, and have low prices. They have upload and download speeds on par with the Federal Communications Commission’s standards for high-speed broadband and offer the most reliable, low-latency connections.
The top ten best states for broadband:
1. Delaware
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 97.3%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 46.2%
- Median Download Speed: 96.1 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 22.1 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 11.5 ms
- Internet Providers: 51
2. New Hampshire
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 97.4%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 45.8%
- Median Download Speed: 100.7 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 19.7 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 17.1 ms
- Internet Providers: 73
3. Maryland
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 97.0%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 37.1%
- Median Download Speed: 93.4 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 21.7 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 8.7 ms
- Internet Providers: 137
4. New Jersey
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 98.5%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 28.9%
- Median Download Speed: 95.1 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 23.4 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 7.8 ms
- Internet Providers: 129
5. New York
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 98.8%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 35.7%
- Median Download Speed: 79.2 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 20.4 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 6.4 ms
- Internet Providers: 228
6. Rhode Island
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 99.8%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 37.2%
- Median Download Speed: 83.5 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 15.2 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 12.6 ms
- Internet Providers: 37
7. Connecticut
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 99.4%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 32.1%
- Median Download Speed: 97.2 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 19.6 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 13.1 ms
- Internet Providers: 78
8. District of Columbia
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 99.5%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 36.0%
- Median Download Speed: 67.5 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 17.5 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 6.5 ms
- Internet Providers: 69
9. Virginia
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 93.6%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 33.3%
- Median Download Speed: 90.2 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 20.1 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 9.9 ms
- Internet Providers: 210
10. Washington
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 96.7%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 47.1%
- Median Download Speed: 55.3 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 16.4 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 7.5 ms
- Internet Providers: 266
The worst states have a score under 50 across all three internet quality categories analyzed by BroadbandNow. These states have poor internet quality and limited access to low-priced broadband plans.
The worst ten states for broadband:
51. Alaska
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 86.6%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 20.0%
- Median Download Speed: 58.5 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 12.5 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 46.1 ms
- Internet Providers: 78
50. West Virginia
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 65.8%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 30.2%
- Median Download Speed: 73.1 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 11.7 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 24.9 ms
- Internet Providers: 101
49. Arkansas
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 77.5%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 29.0%
- Median Download Speed: 63.5 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 11.2 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 24.8 ms
- Internet Providers: 174
48. Kansas
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 91.5%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 28.4%
- Median Download Speed: 35.0 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 10.2 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 27.5 ms
- Internet Providers: 232
47. Massachusetts
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 98.3%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 28.2%
- Median Download Speed: 75.0 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 4.4 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 61.1 ms
- Internet Providers: 108
46. Louisiana
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 82.1%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 29.0%
- Median Download Speed: 72.9 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 11.1 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 29.0 ms
- Internet Providers: 138
45. Mississippi
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 80%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 31.1%
- Median Download Speed: 71.7 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 13.7 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 32.0 ms
- Internet Providers: 130
44. Montana
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 84.2%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 41.7%
- Median Download Speed: 71.8 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 10.9 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 46.8 ms
- Internet Providers: 131
43. Missouri
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 86.9%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 21.8%
- Median Download Speed: 64.6 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 11.6 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 24.0 ms
- Internet Providers: 291
42. Hawaii
- Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband: 97.8%
- Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband: 20.0%
- Median Download Speed: 78.9 Mbps
- Median Upload Speed: 10.8 Mbps
- Median Round Trip Time: 63.5 ms
- Internet Providers: 45
Check out the entire list and see where your state stands by visiting BroadbandNow Research.