Internet Speed and Costs around the World and US

Internet Speed and Cost Around the world

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Source

Map of Average Internet Data Download Speeds Across US

Use the controls at the top left of the map to zoom and pan across the map below

T-Mobile 3G wireless Data Coverage in Youngstown Ohio

Few days ago I upgraded my mobile phone to Android OS based unlocked Google Nexus One mobile phone.

Once the initial euphoria subsided I realized that I will not get 3G wireless data speed in my office and in my apartment, the two places I need it the most. These two places the network data speed is closer to a slower Edge network speed and the data speed ranges from 100kbps - 245kbps. Inside office building it is slightly better and it ranges from 250kbps -500kpbs, depending upon time and network connection.

Outside the buildings, on the major roads like Glenwood Ave, Market Street and Belmont
Avenue it is patchy. Sometimes it is full 3G and sometimes it falls back to G/Edge coverage. The speed ranges from 300kbps -1.3Mbs. What is interesting is that coverage could change within few feet as it occurs behind my apartment complex where within few feet the coverage can change from G/Edge to 3G.

Most of these test were done using Mobile Speed Test.com

http://www.mobilespeedtest.com

Some of the images showing the data transfer rate using Google Nexus one phone on T-mobile network are shown below


I found a wireless speed test app on the Android market. The test is same as the test available the web site http://speedtest.net/

I collected the data at three locations and the results are shown in the table below:



The last two column show the download and upload speed for the T-mobile wireless network

Also some of the results in picture form are shown below










The data speeds vary widely based upon the locations.

The first location of the data collection is shown in the map below

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The second location of the data collection is shown in the map below:

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The third location of the data collection is shown in the map below:

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Although T-mobile wireless data coverage map shows a 3G data speed but these map show that that is not the case. Even where the phone indicator shows a 3G speed the data rates are considerably slower. It however dramatically increses in the southern part of the town most notably in the Boardman area.

The promised data rates for wireless 3G data network according to Wikipedia article are

Data rates

ITU has not provided a clear definition of the data rate users can expect from 3G equipment or providers. Thus users sold 3G service may not be able to point to a standard and say that the rates it specifies are not being met. While stating in commentary that "it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum data rate of 2 Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 384 kbit/s in a moving vehicle, the ITU does not actually clearly specify minimum or average rates or what modes of the interfaces qualify as 3G, so various rates are sold as 3G intended to meet customers expectations of broadband data.

What becomes obvious is that it is difficult to get full strength network connection using wireless data connections. Some fault can be placed on the wireless network providers but mostly it is the limits of the technology at this time.

However, for some one like me it is a big improvement over the old GPRS wireless connection that I had for the last eight years. It delivered data at 14.4kbps. Hopefully with the introduction of 4G the field will become more competitive and we may get better wirelss data internet connectivity.

kbps: kilo bits per second Mbps: Mega bits per second

Growth of Worldwide Internet Users

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Population Online 1998

Population Online 2003

Population Online 2008

Source

It shows that there is substantial growth in the adoption of Internet across the Globe. The rate of adoption at best can be described as phenomenal. No communication and Collaboration technology has ever seen such a fast rate of adoption in the past.

However, the charts showing percent of population only tell part of the story. If one looks at the absolute number of users another picture emerges:

WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICS
World Regions	Population ( 2009 Est.)	Internet Users Dec. 31, 2000	Internet Users Latest Data	Penetration (% Population)	Growth 2000-2009	Users % of Table
Africa	991,002,342	4,514,400	67,371,700	6.8 %	1,392.4 %	3.9 %
Asia	3,808,070,503	114,304,000	738,257,230	19.4 %	545.9 %	42.6 %
Europe	803,850,858	105,096,093	418,029,796	52.0 %	297.8 %	24.1 %
Middle East	202,687,005	3,284,800	57,425,046	28.3 %	1,648.2 %	3.3 %
North America	340,831,831	108,096,800	252,908,000	74.2 %	134.0 %	14.6 %
Latin America/Caribbean	586,662,468	18,068,919	179,031,479	30.5 %	890.8 %	10.3 %
Oceania / Australia	34,700,201	7,620,480	20,970,490	60.4 %	175.2 %	1.2 %
WORLD TOTAL	6,767,805,208	360,985,492	1,733,993,741	25.6 %	380.3 %	100.0 %
NOTES: (1) Internet Usage and World Population Statistics are for September 30, 2009. (2) CLICK on each world region name for detailed regional usage information. (3) Demographic (Population) numbers are based on data from the US Census Bureau . (4) Internet usage information comes from data published by Nielsen Online, by the International Telecommunications Union, by GfK, local Regulators and other reliable sources. (5) For definitions, disclaimer, and navigation help, please refer to the Site Surfing Guide. (6) Information in this site may be cited, giving the due credit to www.internetworldstats.com. Copyright © 2001 - 2009, Miniwatts Marketing Group. All rights reserved worldwide.

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We notice that even though Asia is behind in the percentage adoption rate but as absolute numbers 738+million online user versus 418+million online user in Europe, leads the pack in the total number of users. A further breakdown of online users in top countries of the world is shown in the table below:

TOP 20 COUNTRIES WITH HIGHEST NUMBER OF INTERNET USERS

# Country or Region Population, 2009 Est Users Latest Data % Population (Penetration) Growth 2000-2009 % of World Users 1 China 1,338,612,968 360,000,000 26.9 % 1,500.0 % 20.8 % 2 United States 307,212,123 227,719,000 74.1 % 138.8 % 13.1 % 3 Japan 127,078,679 95,979,000 75,5 % 103.9 % 5.5 % 4 India 1,156,897,766 81,000,000 7.0 % 1,520.0 % 4.7 % 5 Brazil 198,739,269 67,510,400 34.0 % 1,250.2 % 3.9 % 6 Germany 82,329,758 54,229,325 65.9 % 126.0 % 3.1 % 7 United Kingdom 61,113,205 46,683,900 76.4 % 203.1 % 2.7 % 8 Russia 140,041,247 45,250,000 32.3 % 1,359.7 % 2.6 % 9 France 62,150,775 43,100,134 69.3 % 407.1 % 2.5 % 10 Korea South 48,508,972 37,475,800 77.3 % 96.8 % 2.2 % 11 Iran 66,429,284 32,200,000 48.5 % 12,780.0 % 1.9 % 12 Italy 58,126,212 30,026,400 51.7 % 127.5 % 1.7 % 13 Indonesia 240,271,522 30,000,000 12.5 % 1,400.0 % 1.7 % 14 Spain 40,525,002 29,093,984 71.8 % 440.0 % 1.7 % 15 Mexico 111,211,789 27,600,000 24.8 % 917.5 % 1.6 % 16 Turkey 76,805,524 26,500,000 34.5 % 1,225.0 % 1.5 % 17 Canada 33,487,208 25,086,000 74.9 % 97.5 % 1.4 % 18 Philippines 97,976,603 24,000,000 24.5 % 1,100.0 % 1.4 % 19 Vietnem 88,576,758 21,963,117 24.8 % 10,881.6 % 1.3 % 20 Poland 38,482,919 20,020,362 52.0 % 615.0 % 1.2 % TOP 20 Countries 4,374,577,583 1,325,437,422 30.3 % 359.9 % 76.4 % Rest of the World 2,393,227,625 408,556,319 17.1 % 461.5 % 23.6 % Total World - Users 6,767,805,208 1,733,993,741 25.6 % 380.3 % 100.0 %

NOTES: (1) World Internet User Statistics were updated for September 30, 2009. (2) Additional data for individual countries and regions may be found by clicking each country name. (3) The most recent user information comes from data published by Nielsen Online, International Telecommunications Union, Official country reports, and other trustworthy research sources. (6) Data from this site may be cited, giving due credit and establishing an active link back to Internet World Stats. Copyright © 2001 - 2009, Miniwatts Marketing Group. All rights reserved.

Source

What we find that China leads the pack in the number of online users while US is behind it. China's neighbor India with similar population shows up at number fourth with substantially less number of users online when compared with China.

We all know that communication and collaboration technology is the life blood of culture and that in turn determines the type of society one will have. Therefore, these numbers become indicative of human development across the globe.

Online India: Internet Trends

Trendsspotting Handbook of Online India

View more documents from Taly Weiss.

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Tom Brokaw's reporting About the Internet

Tom Brokaw's Early Reports About the Internet from Computer Show in Las Vegas. These were the early days of Internet but some how the early promises after fifteen years are still the same.

You can see Bill Gates going all gaga over the promise of Internet

This video is a nice trip down the memory lane how much was promised and how much still needs to be done



via Paul Kedrosky blog

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Netbooks with Robert Scoble

Netbooks are a new reincarnation of laptop computers for facilitating mobile learning and computing. What distinguishes them from laptops is their smaller screen size. They are also lighter and cheaper.

Netbooks overcome the limitations of the current ebook readers who are mostly limited to displaying text and pictures. They are capable of playing music and videos. A user can surf the net through wireless connectivity.

Here is a video that discusses about the latest crop of Netbooks



Netbooks will be a replacement for the current textbooks once we have the appropriate Internet infrastructure is in place. Also, we have good quality learning material available on the Internet. They should serve as an ideal elearning delivery appliance.

Shift Happens

Image by The Flooz via Flickr