Re: 25 up, 3 down
Sounds like you're using AT&T. :-(
Look, lets put this in perspective.
Back in 1994, if you wanted internet connection, you needed at a minimum a 56KB leased line which would cost you roughly $400 a month. (one class C subnet network) If you had a T1, the minimum cost would be $1,000.00 USD per month (Both on a 24 month minimum contract)
Moving forward a decade... that 56KB moved up to a T1 for the same price.
Moving forward another decade, you can get 'broadband speed', 5 static IPs , for less that that $400.00
The point is that you can get faster internet today for relatively less than you would have had to pay 20+ years ago.
Is the US lagging? for sure.
Comcast has been telling me that they've upgraded the service that I am contracted to use. Ok great.
(BTW, I'm Comcast Biz because I need static IPs and 24/7 'support'. )
If I were in a rural area... I would be SOL because my farm is too far out for cable and modem speed would be too crappy. I'd have to erect a 75ft to 100 ft antenna and set up a point to point connection to the local telco in town. Not cheap, and I'd have to see how to get it subsidized from the local telco which collects rural broadband fund taxes from everyone.
So its a mixed bag.