So we’re working from home. Can the internet handle it?

Big question #1: Will our broadband infrastructure keep up with the increased demand?

Quote from Tom Wheeler – Former Chairman @ the Federal Communications Commission (and a proud Buckeye):“We just don’t know” how the infrastructure will fare…What is sufficient bandwidth for a couple of home computers for a husband and wife may not be sufficient when you add students who are going to class all day long operating from home.”

Quick answer: According to Ookla, our broadband speeds are holding for now.

Top broadband providers (% of total) according to Leichtman Research Group:
1) Comcast – 28.6M (28%)
2) Charter – 26.7M (26%)
3) AT&T – 15.4M (15%)
4) Verizon – 7.0M (7%)
5) Cox – 5.2M (5%)
6) Other – 18.4M (19%)
7) Total – 101.2M

Netflix data usage per hour:
1) Standard definition – 1 GB
2) High definition – 3 GB

Big question #2: More than 20M Americans do not have access to high-speed internet.  What impact is that going to have on these families?

Share of school-age children by household income without high-speed internet according to Pew:
1) < $30K – 35%
2) $30K – $75K – 17%
3) $75K+ – 6%
4) All – 15%

People lacking high-speed internet according to BroadbandNow Research:
1) Texas – 4.2M
2) California – 2.4M
3) Arizona – 1.8M
4) Oklahoma – 1.7M
5) Florida – 1.6M

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