 Internet download speeds in 2009 were below the US average at 4.5 mbps, with the state ranked 34th. Although over 60% of households had internet service in 2007, over 15% still relied on dial-up from their ISP.
In January 2008, the Iowa Utilities Board submitted its sixth report, which showed that 94% of the state's communities had access to at least one high speed internet provider. This was up 2% from the previous report in 2006 and compares to only 31% shown in the first report of October 2000.
Perhaps surprisingly, 96.1% of rural communities were expected to have access to broadband internet services by June 2008 as against only 86.9% in non-rural communities. Data for the report was provided by 353 internet providers and included services available through DSL, fiber optic cable and as wireless internet access.
By September 2009, Iowa had submitted proposals to NTIA for funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It has appointed non-profit organization Connected Nation to create a state-wide map of broadband service availability using data collection and GIS techniques. A Connected Nation study in 2008 concluded that increased adoption could have a possible $1.2 billion economic impact.
November 2009 saw Verizon Wireless announce the completion of the integration of its network with that of Alltel in parts of Central and Eastern Iowa. This creates the largest wifi network footprint in the US and brings to $240 million the amount it has invested in its Iowa network.
An unexpected development was Mediacom's December 2009 announcement that it is installing a residential service in Waterloo that will have a maximum download speed of 105 mbps. This will rate this small Midwest town the fastest in the country.
Set in the heart of the Corn Belt and often referred to as the 'Food Capital of the World', Iowa's agricultural economy has diversified to the point where manufacturing is now the largest source of its income. This includes food processing, heavy machinery and agricultural chemicals, while there is a strong financial and insurance sector.
Iowa has a humid continental climate that features hot summers and cold winters, with thunderstorms and tornadoes being common. Around 60% of the land area is covered by crops, 30% is grassland and only 1% is urban areas. The state capital and largest city is Des Moines, followed by Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Sioux City.
Cities in Iowa likely to have, or soon to receive, fiber optic cable internet services include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and Iowa City. Locations in IA with highest population counts will be targeted first by providers, though relatively high speeds can be achieved with dial-up or DSL through companies such as Netzero and Charter Communications Cable.
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Coverage Unlikely
