RALEIGH, N.C. — Surprise, surprise. Raleigh is the fifth most wired city in the U.S., says Forbes.com in its latest survey.
Charlotte ranks 10th.
Shock, shock – Atlanta is the most wired, Forbes.com says.
Raleigh was listed as one of the “surprises” on the list, and Forbes.com acknowledges that Atlanta as well as Georgia are “best known for hot weather, college football and peaches.” But Atlanta is “no slouch” when it comes to technology, the website adds, noting the presence of BellSouth, Internet Service Provider EarthLink, and cable giant Cox Communications.
Forbes.com ranked the cities based on criteria gathered from Internet market research firm Nielsen/Net Ratings (broadband adoption), the Federal Communications Commission (service provider variety), and JiWire (WiFi hot spots).
Raleigh ranked fifth overall, 13th in broadband adoption, second in access options and 13th in WiFi hot spots.
Atlanta ranked ninth in broadband adoption, first in access options and third in WiFi hot spots.
Charlotte ranked 17th in broadband adoption, third in access options and 14th in WiFi hot spots.
The top 20 cities were:
1. Atlanta
2. Orlando
3. Seattle
4. San Francisco
5. Raleigh
6. Memphis
7. (tie) Tampa
7. (tie) San Diego
7. (tie) Phoenix
10. Charlotte
11. Los Angeles
12. New York
13. Boston
14. Washington, D.C.
15. Portland OR
16. Baltimore
17. (tie) Sacramento
17. (tie) Chicago
19. Dallas
20. Columbus OH
For details, see: www.forbes.com/2006/08/30/wireless-wired-broadband_cx_df_0831wiredcities.html?partner=yahootix
