'Up to' claims for Internet connection speeds next to worthless

When it comes to high-speed Internet access, are you getting what you pay for? Although Internet service providers market "up to" speeds, consumers may rightfully ask "What's the usual speed?"

Apparently that's not a question Verizon is comfortable answering. And neither are most other Internet service providers, which routinely promise speeds "up to" certain cyber-velocities but have a hard time specifying what most customers can really expect. "Truth in broadband advertising is a giant problem in the United States," said Joel Kelsey, a telecom policy analyst for Consumers Union. "These 'up to' speeds are not what the typical customer experiences." A more straightforward sales pitch would feature the average speed that Internet customers experience in a certain area, he said. Many business customers are provided such information by telecom companies, Kelsey said, and some are even guaranteed minimum access speeds.