Internet connection speeds surging: Study

Connection speeds are expected to grow tremendously around the world from 2012 to 2017, according to the Cisco report. The most dramatic growth rates are in North America, where pervasive 4G connections are allowing for faster video and other data access. The average mobile data access speed for all handsets is expected to grow at a 49 percent CAGR from 2012 to 2017. Smartphone speeds, generally 3G and higher, were about four times higher than the overall average in 2012, but by 2017 are projected to be less than twice as fast as the overall average. Smartphone speeds will triple from 2012 to 2017, reaching 6.5 megabytes per second on average.

World Newsmedia Network has published Global Digital Media Trendbook each year since 2006. The 2014 trendbook contains 500 data sets and 230 pages of analysis about digital media usage and revenue patterns, including this data set. To download the GDMT free executive summary, go to www.wnmn.org