Hello walls, how’d things go for you today? We all know that feeling; you’re staring up at the ceiling, gazing out of the window, anything to while away the moments as you wait for your download to finish. Okay, so that might not be exactly what Willie Nelson had in mind when he sang those words, but it’s a fair comparison.
Fortunately, this all too familiar scene is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Broadband speeds in the US are steadily improving. Many states have seen significant improvements to their broadband infrastructures, fueled by government funding and private financing. On the face of it, it seems like good news all round. However, 32 states have seen their digital divide grow.
Let’s take a look back in time and see how we got here. In 2020, news of COVID-19 spread around the world. The pandemic affected each and every one of us. There were orders to stay indoors, wear masks, and socially distance. Overnight, it became harder than ever to communicate with one another face-to-face. Luckily, we had the internet.
The pandemic accelerated existing trends for working from home and shopping online. This put sudden pressure on everybody’s home broadband and highlighted our reliance on the web for everyday tasks and activities. Five years on, we are still living with the impacts of the pandemic, and some of the more positive changes have stuck around.
As people choose to spend more and more of their waking hours online, internet providers have had to race to boost broadband speeds. In 2019, internet speeds in the US stood at around 54.08 megabits per second. Nowadays, the internet is more than five times faster in most parts of the US.
At the time of writing, the median download speed for fixed broadband in the United States stands at 289.44 Mbps, according to data gathered by Ookla. That places the US in 7th place in the global rankings. Mobile download speeds are currently slower, at an estimated 158.49 Mbps.
There are a number of reasons why the US still lags behind some other countries when it comes to internet speeds. The sheer scale and terrain of the US pose logistical issues for internet providers, causing some rural areas to struggle with lower broadband speeds. This is the reason why some states are still experiencing a digital divide in internet speeds for urban versus rural users.
Honing in on one state as an example, Michigan averages a download speed of around 193.19 Mbps according to highspeedinternet.com. This is by no means the fastest internet in the US, nor is it the slowest. This kind of speed is adequate for most people in the state to use for work purposes, whether that’s at the office or at home, from hosting Zoom calls to running online accounting software, carrying out research, and creating sales platforms. The internet is woven inextricably into our workdays, making a reliable connection an essential.
The rollout of fiber networks has helped to raise internet speeds. Across the US, internet service providers have been rolling out fiber optic broadband, which utilizes pulses of light sent through glass fibers instead of the traditional copper wires. Fiber optic technology is faster, more reliable, and less prone to losing signal over great distances than its predecessors.
Michiganders have a range of ISPs to choose from, including T-Mobile, Xfinity, and Spectrum, to name just a few. 99% of the state’s population has access to three or more internet providers, proof of the healthy competition in the ISP market. It is estimated that 89% of the state’s population has access to fiber internet, a figure 25% higher than the national average.
Cloud services have also been pivotal in helping businesses move online. The cloud has helped to create a level playing field for companies to scale and optimize their operations, reach wider customer bases, and experiment more freely. Cloud computing has been key in supporting the growth of AI, which relies on large datasets and reliable processing power.
It is clear to see that these technological innovations have been pivotal in enabling businesses, small and large, to move online. One such example of a modern business sector that has come to the fore thanks to the internet revolution is online gambling. Faster internet speeds have been crucial for sites offering players access to online casino games like slots, roulette, and poker.
Since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, individual states have been able to decide for themselves whether they want to legalize online casinos and sports betting. Michigan was an early adopter, passing its own legislation at the end of 2019. The Michigan Gaming Control Board was formed in 2020, allowing online casinos to go live the following year.
It is easy to see why Michiganders enjoy having a flutter online. Examining the options available on Casino.org, there are currently fifteen legal and licensed online casinos in Michigan to choose from. We can expect that number to grow too, if the popularity of online gambling across the US is anything to go by.
That popularity is owed, in part, to the high standard of graphics and attractive game design now available at online casinos. As more powerful computer processors and better internet speeds have become the norm, operators have been able to offer more exciting and interactive products. Enhanced mobile connectivity also means that it’s easier than ever for players to game on the go.
Sophisticated game mechanics and smooth animations make today’s online slots a truly immersive experience. Some online casinos even host virtual reality offerings, allowing players to experience the feel of a 3D casino environment from the comfort of their own homes. While VR products are currently a rare find at online casinos, they are likely to become more commonplace as technology improves.
Another casino offering that has flourished thanks to faster internet speeds is the live dealer game. Many players who prefer traditional casino offerings enjoy the human element that having a real-life dealer provides. HD cameras, professional studios, and cutting-edge software allow casinos to live stream dealer games, like baccarat and blackjack, to homes statewide.
With a real array of top-quality games out there to choose from, online casinos in Michigan are battling it out to compete for customer loyalty. As a result, players can enjoy a range of bonus offerings, including free spins, matched deposits, and no deposit bonuses.
Overall, the meteoric rise of online casinos illustrates how advances in internet provision set the groundwork for online business success. Faster download speeds, more stable connections, and enhanced security offer businesses the tools they need to thrive online.
Somewhere along the way she found herself doing freelance consulting for small businesses and home users, supporting both Linux and Windows users and integrating Linux and Windows on the LAN, primarily Linux servers and Windows clients. She is the author of the Linux Cookbook, Linux Networking Cookbook, and the Linux Cookbook 2nd Edition for O’Reilly, and has written hundreds of Linux howtos for various publications, .