Tuesday, May 31 2011 4:05PM
Internet speeds in Montana were the worst in the U.S. last year, a study shows.
More than three-quarters of Montana households have below-average internet speeds, according to a new survey, which reveals the state had the worst connection speeds in the nation last year.
A study by Speed Matters — a group which promotes high-speed internet to help with economic development — shows Montana ranks last in internet speeds, as 77 percent of households had connection speeds of less than four megabits per second — the minimum broadband speed set by the Federal Communications Commission.
Technology experts told the NBC news affiliate in Montana that the will is there for expansion of high-speed internet in the state. However, funding appears to be the main concern.
"The requirement for higher speed connections has become greater as the amount of content that we use and the ways it's being delivered to us continues to require more and more connectivity speed," Montana State University professor Richard Wolff told the news station.
Wolff added while some urban areas of Montana appear to have moderate internet speeds, many rural communities in the state are lacking high speeds.