Utah ranked as the top state based on broadband access, according to a Center for Data Innovation report.
For the report, the Washington, D.C.-based data policy think tank benchmarked U.S. states based on 25 indicators related to data-driven innovation. The indicators assessed states' strengths across three categories: data availability, technology platforms and human-business capital.
Within the technology platforms category, the Center for Data Innovation ranked all 50 states on broadband access based on three variables: percentage of the population who use the internet, percentage of households with a broadband subscription and average connection speed.
The analysts determined broadband adoption and speeds tended to be highest in high-income states with urban areas.
"Because it is less costly to invest in broadband in metropolitan areas, states that are predominantly urban are much more likely to have more extensive, faster broadband networks," the report reads. "Conversely, more rural and lower-income states … have slower networks."
Here are top five states based on broadband access.
1. Utah
2. New Hampshire
3. Maryland
4. Massachusetts
5. Washington
Here are bottom five states based on broadband access.
1. Mississippi
2. Arkansas
3. West Virginia
4. Alabama
5. New Mexico
To access the Center for Data Innovation's report, click here.