 An AT&T survey in 2006 showed that New Jersey was the top state for broadband service penetration at 48.6%. It reported that 87% of residential customers could access some kind of DSL service. The state had 2.1 million residential and 1.3 million business high speed lines and no zip code had fewer than four internet providers, with a total of 41 serving the state. Despite this, 2007 figures showed that over 11% of households were still getting dial-up internet service from their ISP. However, New Jersey came third in the 2009 Speed Matters survey with an average download speed of 8.9 mbps.
A 2008 Connected Nation report suggested that improving the availability of broadband internet services could have a $4.6 billion annual impact. AT&T planned to have 99% coverage with its 3G network for wireless internet access by the end of 2008. A planned upgrade to the network, due for completion by 2011, is expected to double current speeds to 7.2 mbps.
Verizon Wireless also announced plans to extend its coverage through its New Jersey heartland in 2009, increasing its investment in the region to $2.2 billion since 2000. However, the internet provider agreed to pay $795,000 to the state and $50 each to more than 1,100 customers in response to a law suit alleging a failure to deliver on promises relating to its fiber optic cable network. Nevertheless, the result of various expansion efforts is that New Jersey has wifi hotspots over a wide area, mainly down its eastern boundary with other concentrations in the west and south of the state.
In common with all other states, New Jersey has applied for federal stimulus funding. However, it missed out on the first round of grants in December 2009.
Lying within the metropolitan areas of New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. The climate is either sub-tropical or continental, with winters usually cold and summers being generally hot and humid.
The state's median household income is the highest in the country and it has the highest percentage of millionaire households. It has a strong scientific economy and many energy-intensive industries, with nuclear power dominating its electricity market, and has an extensive transport system due to its location. The state capital is Trenton while the largest cities are Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Elizabeth.
Cities in New Jersey likely to have, or soon to receive, fiber optic cable internet services include Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge, Toms River, Hamilton and Trenton. Locations in NJ 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
