We’ve heard it all before: Faster is better, and greater download and streaming speeds mean better internet service. That’s why many cable companies and broadband providers charge high monthly rates to consumers for bandwidth and speeds of 250, 500, or more megabits per second. They claim that people streaming video or playing online games need these high rates.

But do they, really? Or are these internet service providers just selling snake oil?

According to testing by the Wall Street Journal and a report by NPR’s Marketplace, if you’re paying for higher internet bandwidth, you’re probably buying snake oil. Continue reading “Research shows households use less than 10% of the bandwidth they pay for” →