Couldn't a more accurate picture of broadband speed across the State be provided from an existing reports maintained by Verizon and Comcast?

What a stupid use of taxpayers' $$$$!!!!! No wonder the trillion dollar stimulus has shown little if anything for the "investment", and why the unemployment rate is still over 10%.

I don't think Verizon and Comcast are willing to share their customer data, for competitive reasons. I've asked Verizon and they won't; waiting to hear back from Comcast. -GS

Just took the speed test. Thanks.

...and it is important for the government to do this because?

Why is the government in the broadband market research business? Are there no companies that sell broadband making these assessments?

I'm puzzled.

The commenter who thinks we should just accept the speed claims from the service providers seems a little naive to me -- why would Verizon or Comcast admit that the services they advertise are not really the services you receive when you become a customer?

Someone has to check up on their claims periodically, or fraud becomes easier than doing honest business.

BTW, I'm in Baltimore on Verizon DSL and I scored: 1.52 MB/s Download Speed 0.11 MB/s Upload Speed

I think the government having this data isn't a bad thing. With this data they can better assess what areas are lacking in high speed lines or have providers claiming faster speeds than they are delivering.

My only compliant about the test is I can't tell them who my provider is. They can figure this out by seeing who ARIN has allocated the IP address you are testing from but I'd still like to tell them.

Thanks for the info...I took the "speed test," "survey," and "researched" the "interactive maps."

It was nice to do something that could benefit those that are without this vital resource statewide.

Nice article, keep up the good work, GS.

Maybe they should investigate Comcast's horrible service and why Verizon suddenly stopped putting in service in Balt. County.

If you look at the maps on the broadband webpage, it is discouraging to see that the city falls WAY short. Is that an infrastructure problem or affordability issue?

I think it's both. Can you share a link? -GS

Retrix stated "BTW, I'm in Baltimore on Verizon DSL and I scored: 1.52 MB/s Download Speed 0.11 MB/s Upload Speed".

That's about what I recall under DSL with Verizon.

I gave them the boot because under Comcast, I am able to measure 25.07 MB/s Download and 4.40 MB/s Upload speeds.

Instead of paying $60 for cable and $123 for DSL and telephone per month, I now pay $159/per month for Digital Cable with premium broadcast quality, absolutely no annoying telephone calls from prior telephone numbers that Verizon gives you - even for 'unlisted' numbers, and downloads that take 10 minutes for 2 gigbyte files vs. 2 hours for DSL.

If you live in the city and can't get FIOS, give Verizon the boot, upgrade your Comcast offerings, and PRAY that the Google Gods land on Baltimore, NOW.

Hey won't say. 2 questions. 1) Can one get internet only on Comcast (I don't want cable and have OOMA for phone) and how much?

2)How often does the service go down, if at all?

If Comcast is reliable and has a reasonable rate for internet only, I would consider switching from DSL just to flick my nose at Verizon.