by 
The Curious Bag
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Internet speed is one of the first things a consumer looks at when deciding on which Internet service provider to choose. There is a plethora of Internet connection terminology and jargon that can often confuse the new user as to the true nature of "Internet speed."
Identification
Internet speed refers to how fast an Internet connection can send data, usually measured in kilobytes or megabytes, to a computer, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FCC).
Function
Faster Internet speeds allow the user to access information more quickly. Some important Internet applications, such as streaming movies and Web-based phone calling, require broadband speeds over 200 kilobits per second, according to the FCC. Typical "dial up" connections are limited to 56 kilobits per second.
Types
Internet speeds are considered narrow-band for speeds less than 56 kilobits per second, according to Broadbandinfo.com. Anything faster than narrow-band is considered broadband.
Fun Fact
The average Internet speed in the United States during 2009 was 5.1 megabits per second, ranking the U.S. twenty-eighth in the entire world, according to SpeedMatters.
Check Internet Speed
You can check your true Internet data transfer by running an Internet speed test. DSL Reports offers one of the best speed tests around.
Source:
Federal Communications Comission
Federal Communications Comission: About Broadband
Resource:
SpeedMatters: 2009 Report on Internet Speeds
DSL Reports Speed Test
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