BroadbandNow ranking shows Alabama’s transformational leap in connectivity

(Pixabay, YHN)

Alabama’s broadband availability has continued to grow by leaps and bounds in recent years. In 2019, the state was ranked 47th in the U.S. for broadband connectivity. Fast forward to 2024, Alabama currently ranks 24th on that same list.

BroadbandNow’s index of internet availability takes into account internet coverage, speed, and availability in each individual state when establishing the annual rankings.

The data accompanying the rankings showed that still roughly one-in-ten Alabamians are not able to purchase an internet plan of at least 25Mbps and 3Mbps upload. Additionally, almost 6 in 10 residents are not able to purchase broadband at a price of $60 a month or less.

RELATED: Be Linked Alabama: Interactive map lights up broadband growth

In Alabama, 85.4% of people have access to 100 Mbps broadband, ranking 41st among all states.

The five counties with the highest rates of residents with access to broadband speeds of at least 100mbps are in metro areas, including Jefferson (99%) and Shelby (97%) counties. Counties in the Huntsville, Montgomery, and Auburn areas also made the top five. Perry County, the state’s least populous, has the lowest rate of access to high-speed broadband.

Each counties individual internet availability data can be found here.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

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