Photo via Shutterstock
Photo via Shutterstock

Does it take forever to load a webpage, or do you find that watching Netflix can be a painful experience?

If your answer is “yes,” you aren’t alone.

The vast majority of people living in the U.S. are experiencing slower speeds than what their Internet providers are advertising, according to a WSJ report that relies on tens of millions of speed tests from Seattle-based Ookla and its online speed test, Speedtest.net.

By far, the worst offender on the list is Clear Wireless, the Bellevue broadband wireless operator started by telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw.

Clear’s service is no longer operating following its acquisition by Sprint, but during these tests, Ookla found that Clear’s speeds were -41 percent below what they promised, according to the report. The second-slowest U.S. provider was Arkansas-based Windstream Communications, which fell 30 percent below expectations. The most accurate provider on the list was South Dakota-based Midcontinent Communications, which was +8 percent above their advertised speeds.

Other major providers from the list include:

  • Verizon FIOS: +2 percent
  • Comcast: -2 percent
  • Time Warner Cable: -1 percent
  • AT&T U-verse: -8 percent
  • CenturyLink: -17 percent

No wonder broadband is such a hot topic if these Internet service providers are delivering speeds far below what they are claiming to provide.

Based on the data, it could be worse, especially if you live in Idaho. Three cities in the state, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls are all experiencing way slower speeds than advertised at -50 percent, -46 percent and -41 percent, respectively. Nationwide, some of the best cities to live in terms of Internet access includes Sierra Vista, Az., which is +8 percent; and Clearwater, Fla., which is +6 percent.

In Washington, three cities are provided speeds as advertised in Olympia, Lynnwood and Yakima. Pullman is the furthest off, at -25 percent and Seattle falls just below expectations at -14 percent.

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