Is Arkansas Really the Most Competitive State for Broadband?

Arkansas, North Dakota and South Carolina are the three states with the most competitive broadband markets, according to a report released by ID Insights and broadband consultant Craig Settles.

For those questioning what makes these states so competitive, it's the fact that no single provider — or even a duopoly of providers — serves a huge percentage of the state's broadband subscribers. For example, in Arkansas the top two providers offer service to just 49 percent of broadband customers, whereas the top two ISPs in the least competitive market, Rhode Island, cover 95 percent of subscribers. What's more interesting is that the survey draws out a correlation (not causation, guys) between home values and income, showing that the wealthier you are and the higher your home value, the less likely you are to live in a place with competitive access to broadband. Plus, the more people online in your state, the less competition there is.