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- Maryland is the most cell phone-friendly state, scoring 40.17 out of 50 based on phone service, internet speeds, 5G coverage, lowest wireless taxes, and state support
- New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, and Delaware make up the top five
- California is the only Western state in the top ten
New research has revealed that Maryland is the most cell phone-friendly state.
Our research studied data from Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Tax Foundation, and OpenSignal to see which states had the best cellular internet speeds, phone service, 5G coverage, taxes, and programs.
| The Most Cell Phone-Friendly States | |||||||
| Rank | State | Internet speeds | Phone service | 5G coverage | Taxes | State support | Final score |
| 1 | Maryland | 8.33 | 8.30 | 8.97 | 5.40 | 9.17 | 40.17 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 10.00 | 8.61 | 10.00 | 7.03 | 1.67 | 37.31 |
| 3 | Illinois | 5.56 | 9.69 | 9.06 | 4.31 | 6.67 | 35.29 |
| 4 | Indiana | 1.52 | 9.89 | 9.18 | 6.37 | 5.00 | 31.96 |
| 5 | Delaware | 3.13 | 8.12 | 9.87 | 7.92 | 2.50 | 31.54 |
| 6 | New York | 10.00 | 7.56 | 6.24 | 4.83 | 2.50 | 31.13 |
| 7 | California | 2.63 | 6.63 | 5.67 | 5.64 | 10.00 | 30.57 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 0.85 | 8.47 | 7.46 | 7.06 | 6.67 | 30.51 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 3.33 | 7.55 | 7.54 | 6.63 | 5.00 | 30.05 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 2.38 | 8.74 | 7.85 | 5.21 | 5.83 | 30.01 |
The analysis revealed that Maryland takes first place based on a score of 40.17 out of 50. The state ranks in the top ten for four factors, including two in the top five. It has the third-highest average internet speeds in the country, behind New York and New Jersey. Maryland also has the second most state government programs and grants to help residents access the internet and devices. Maryland has the sixth-highest 5G access but ranks 29th for phone service coverage. However, its wireless tax rates are the ninth-highest in the country.
New Jersey ranks second with a score of 37.31. Its results varied greatly. New Jersey has the fastest internet speeds and the best 5G access nationally. Its tax rates are also the 15th lowest in the country. However, its phone service ranks as average (24th), and the state has one of the lowest numbers of broadband programs available.
Illinois ranks third based on a score of 35.29, with four factors ranking in the top ten. Residents enjoy the fourth-highest internet speeds and 5G access, with the third-highest number of broadband grants and sixth-best phone service. On the other hand, Illinois has the country’s highest local wireless tax rate, 22.65%.
Indiana is fourth, scoring 31.96 out of 50. Indiana’s phone service is second-best in the country, behind Kansas. It also ranks third for 5G access. The state offers its residents the eighth-highest number of broadband grants and support. Indiana’s internet speeds rank 15th. Its lowest score was for the tax rate, which is average (26th).
Delaware ranks fifth with a score of 31.54. Delaware has the second-greatest 5G access and third-lowest local wireless tax rate, 6.73%. Local internet speeds are the seventh-highest in the nation. However, Delaware ranks below average for phone service and state broadband grants.
New York places sixth, scoring 31.13. Internet speeds are the highest in the country, alongside New Jersey. However, four of five factors rank on average or below. New York’s 5G access ranks 26th nationally, and its phone coverage places 35th, as just over one-quarter of the state remains unserved. There are some state grants, but below the national average, placing 36th. New York also has the fifth-highest wireless state-local tax rate of 18.88%.
California ranks seventh with a total score of 30.57. The Golden State offers the highest number of broadband programs and grants in the country, and its internet speeds are eighth-highest nationally. However, three of California’s factors rank below average. It ranks 29th for 5G access and has the 15th-highest local wireless tax rate. Its phone service coverage is relatively low, with a third of the state still unserviced, ranking 40th.
North Carolina places eighth, scoring 30.51. North Carolina government offers residents the third-most broadband grants and programs in the country. Local wireless tax rates and 5G access are the 12th-best nationally. Phone service coverage is average (25th), and internet speeds are slightly below average (29th).
Massachusetts is the ninth most cell phone-friendly state, with a score of 30.05. Two factors ranked in the national top ten. Internet speeds are the sixth-fastest in the country, and the state has the eighth-most broadband support programs offered to residents. 5G access ranks 11th, missing the top ten by a slight amount. Massachusetts’s wireless tax rate is slightly below average, ranking 22nd-cheapest. However, Massachusetts ranks 36th for phone service coverage, leaving room for improvement.
Pennsylvania is the tenth most cell phone-friendly state, scoring 30.01 out of 50. Its level of state government support, 5G access, and internet speeds are in the top ten. Pennsylvania state provides the sixth-most broadband programs and funding in the country. Its 5G access and internet speeds rank eighth and ninth-highest nationally. Phone service coverage is fairly average (23rd). On the other hand, local wireless tax rates are the seventh-highest in the United States.
Commenting on the findings, Andreas Voniatis, Founder of Artios.io said: “Access to cellular devices and the internet has become necessary to do our jobs. So it’s important to understand which states offer the best internet access, phone coverage, and support to residents and businesses. The study reveals that most cell phone-friendly states are on the East Coast, with Maryland taking the top spot, ranking high among most factors, but with the drawback of having some of the highest local wireless taxes. California is the only Western state to rank among the top ten, and it’s clear that its local government is focused on improving coverage and accessibility and is providing funding to do so.”
| The Most Cell Phone-Friendly States | |||||||
| Rank | State | Internet speeds | Phone service | 5G coverage | Taxes | State support | Final score |
| 1 | Maryland | 8.33 | 8.30 | 8.97 | 5.40 | 9.17 | 40.17 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 10.00 | 8.61 | 10.00 | 7.03 | 1.67 | 37.31 |
| 3 | Illinois | 5.56 | 9.69 | 9.06 | 4.31 | 6.67 | 35.29 |
| 4 | Indiana | 1.52 | 9.89 | 9.18 | 6.37 | 5.00 | 31.96 |
| 5 | Delaware | 3.13 | 8.12 | 9.87 | 7.92 | 2.50 | 31.54 |
| 6 | New York | 10.00 | 7.56 | 6.24 | 4.83 | 2.50 | 31.13 |
| 7 | California | 2.63 | 6.63 | 5.67 | 5.64 | 10.00 | 30.57 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 0.85 | 8.47 | 7.46 | 7.06 | 6.67 | 30.51 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 3.33 | 7.55 | 7.54 | 6.63 | 5.00 | 30.05 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 2.38 | 8.74 | 7.85 | 5.21 | 5.83 | 30.01 |
| 11 | Ohio | 1.43 | 8.81 | 8.87 | 7.23 | 3.33 | 29.67 |
| 12 | Iowa | 1.22 | 9.89 | 7.17 | 6.80 | 3.33 | 28.41 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 1.22 | 9.35 | 7.57 | 5.96 | 4.17 | 28.27 |
| 14 | Georgia | 1.56 | 9.49 | 6.63 | 6.13 | 4.17 | 27.98 |
| 15 | Connecticut | 1.85 | 8.88 | 9.03 | 7.32 | 0.83 | 27.91 |
| 16 | Minnesota | 2.08 | 8.75 | 7.01 | 6.65 | 3.33 | 27.82 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 5.56 | 7.08 | 7.76 | 5.42 | 1.67 | 27.49 |
| 18 | Alabama | 0.64 | 9.43 | 6.81 | 6.41 | 4.17 | 27.46 |
| 19 | Louisiana | 0.75 | 9.56 | 6.84 | 6.72 | 3.33 | 27.20 |
| 20 | Virginia | 1.35 | 8.41 | 5.42 | 7.57 | 4.17 | 26.92 |
| 21 | Tennessee | 0.96 | 8.82 | 7.03 | 5.80 | 4.17 | 26.78 |
| 22 | Missouri | 1.14 | 9.42 | 7.16 | 5.51 | 3.33 | 26.56 |
| 23 | Kansas | 1.28 | 10.00 | 6.37 | 4.97 | 3.33 | 25.95 |
| 24 | Texas | 1.25 | 9.05 | 6.52 | 6.23 | 2.50 | 25.55 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | 0.72 | 9.71 | 6.81 | 5.76 | 2.50 | 25.50 |
| 26 | Colorado | 0.76 | 8.14 | 3.93 | 5.94 | 6.67 | 25.44 |
| 27 | Florida | 0.94 | 7.82 | 6.83 | 5.52 | 4.17 | 25.28 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | 0.65 | 7.71 | 5.16 | 7.48 | 4.17 | 25.17 |
| 29 | South Dakota | 0.89 | 9.29 | 7.26 | 5.62 | 1.67 | 24.73 |
| 30 | Arkansas | 0.58 | 8.79 | 6.18 | 4.67 | 4.17 | 24.39 |
| 31 | North Dakota | 0.83 | 9.72 | 6.65 | 5.44 | 1.67 | 24.31 |
| 32 | Kentucky | 0.65 | 8.91 | 5.79 | 6.40 | 2.50 | 24.25 |
| 33 | Utah | 1.72 | 6.87 | 5.07 | 5.30 | 5.00 | 23.96 |
| 34 | Arizona | 0.81 | 7.30 | 4.28 | 6.04 | 5.00 | 23.43 |
| 35 | New Mexico | 0.85 | 8.00 | 5.10 | 6.12 | 3.33 | 23.40 |
| 36 | Vermont | 0.52 | 8.36 | 3.20 | 7.11 | 4.17 | 23.36 |
| 37 | Nevada | 1.16 | 5.78 | 3.17 | 9.35 | 3.33 | 22.79 |
| 38 | Mississippi | 0.53 | 9.66 | 4.73 | 6.78 | 0.83 | 22.53 |
| 39 | Idaho | 0.69 | 5.27 | 3.19 | 10.00 | 3.33 | 22.48 |
| 40 | Washington | 0.86 | 6.10 | 4.84 | 4.57 | 5.83 | 22.20 |
| 41 | Oregon | 0.94 | 5.43 | 3.11 | 7.61 | 5.00 | 22.09 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | 0.68 | 9.09 | 4.42 | 7.05 | 0.83 | 22.07 |
| 43 | Maine | 0.56 | 5.44 | 3.33 | 7.05 | 5.00 | 21.38 |
| 44 | Michigan | 0.72 | 5.38 | 4.21 | 6.82 | 4.17 | 21.30 |
| 45 | West Virginia | 0.54 | 5.92 | 3.52 | 6.54 | 4.17 | 20.69 |
| 46 | Montana | 0.52 | 6.49 | 3.11 | 7.89 | 2.50 | 20.51 |
| 47 | Hawaii | 1.92 | 4.49 | 3.19 | 7.47 | 3.33 | 20.40 |
| 48 | Wyoming | 0.56 | 8.46 | 2.70 | 6.95 | 1.67 | 20.34 |
| 49 | Nebraska | 0.83 | 9.28 | 1.52 | 4.74 | 3.33 | 19.70 |
| 50 | Alaska | 0.61 | 0.77 | 0.10 | 5.67 | 0.83 | 7.98 |
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