Plug in your address to see if you're overpaying for internet
$42,450,000,000. That’s how much the U.S. government is spending to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to all the places that don’t have it. Politics aside, that’s a heck of a lot of money.
By now, we all know how important it is to have a strong connection — for work, school, fun and life in general. But what happens if you move and realize, “Uh oh, the internet here stinks.”
Do this before you start packing
Here’s a must-do step: Check the internet before you sign that lease or fork over a down payment. There’s a decent chance the prices and speed you’re used to are vastly different in your new potential neighborhood.
Most major U.S. cities have the same carriers, like Verizon, AT&T and CenturyLink. But depending on your location, you could get a drastically different internet speed than another city … at the same price point.
The Markup created a handy map tool to check the internet speeds in 45 major cities. Here’s the lowdown on what they found and how to use the map yourself.
Even if you’re not moving
Markup analyzed data from over a million internet plans across 45 U.S. cities from four of the nation’s biggest internet providers: EarthLink, CenturyLink, Verizon and AT&T.
Researchers found the worst internet deals disproportionately popped up in the poorest, most diverse and historically redlined neighborhoods in all but two investigated cities. Oof.
The internet’s Big Four also use “tier flattening,” meaning they charge the same rate for different internet speeds, which can vary drastically. How is that legal?
How to use the map
Eager to take the map for a test drive? Here’s how:
Do you prefer YouTube or Netflix? It might come down to how old you are
It’s no secret that different age groups stream different content. But where’s the line in the sand that determines whether someone gravitates toward Netflix or YouTube?
According to new survey data presented by Publisher’s Clearing House, the magic number is 45.
There’s a new social media network for seniors that’s backed by the AARP
Despite all the privacy drawbacks, people can’t seem to get enough of social media. That’s why so many people were up in arms recently when they found out they were locked out of their Facebook accounts. Tap or click here to see why Facebook banned people who missed an email notice.
If you use a Roku, get ready for more ads
There is no doubt that streaming services have exploded over the last few years. More people have flocked to Netflix, Hulu or Disney+ than ever before to get their viewing fix. For the most part, basic access to these services is relatively affordable. Yes, your smart TV is spying on you – Here’s how to stop it.
Now Facebook wants to pay you for your voice recordings - how much can you get?
In 2019, more than a few tech companies got caught abusing their users’ trust. The most notable stories involved the companies listening in on users and recording them without warning.
Thanks to the press, this practice was widely exposed and condemned by the public. Companies like Amazon, Apple and Google all admitted their mistakes and have since changed their policies. Tap or click here see how Amazon got caught.