Quarter-over-quarter, global average connection speeds rose 4 percent to 3.1 Mbps, up from 2.9 Mbps, with a 75-percent increase in Guatemala and a 122-percent increase in Iraq, Akamai reports.

Year-over-year, average connection speeds grew by 17 percent, with eight of the top 10 countries or regions growing by double-digit percentages.

Global average peak connection speeds increased 9.2 percent to 18.4 Mbps during the first quarter of 2013. Hong Kong was again number one at 63.6 Mbps, an increase of 9 percent over the previous quarter.


Image via Shutterstock

Year-over-year, global average peak connection speeds continued to show strong long-term growth, rising 36 percent.

Global broadband (4 Mbps or higher) adoption increased 5.8 percent during the quarter to reach 46 percent.

Global higher-speed broadband (10 Mbps or higher) reached 13 percent, a 10-percent increase over last quarter, Akamai says.

In the first quarter of 2013, average connection speeds on mobile networks ranged from a high of 8.6 Mbps to a low of 0.4 Mbps. About nine networks had speeds of at least 4 Mbps while 64 networks supported at least 1 Mbps.

Data collected by Ericsson indicates that the volume of mobile data traffic doubled from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013, and grew 19 percent between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.

Of course, developments might potentially exhibit greater dynamic range in some markets. If you think Google Fiber shows Google is crazy like a fox, think again: Verizon has begun deploying a new top-tier FiOS Quantum Internet access service, featuring speeds of 500 megabits per second download and 100 Mbps upload.

The 500/100 Mbps speed is initially available in parts of every FiOS market, and Verizon will deploy the service throughout the entire FiOS footprint into 2014.

For consumers, the 500/100 Mbps speed is available as part of a bundle or in stand-alone fashion, starting at $309.99 per month for a double play or $329.99 per month for a triple play with a two-year agreement.

For small businesses, the new top speed is only offered on a stand-alone basis, starting at $369.99 per month with a two-year agreement. The service also is available to consumers and small businesses on a no-contract, month-to-month basis.

Likewise, the AT&T Project Velocity IP initiative will extend IP-based wireline broadband service to approximately 57 million customer locations (both consumer and small business) representing 75 percent of the customer locations within the company’s 22-state service area by year-end 2015.

About 90 percent of U-verse customers will have the capability to receive speeds up to 75 Mbps and 75 percent will be able to buy 100 Mbps service.

As always with things Internet, “average” means very little.