Spatial regularities in Internet performance at a local scale: The case of Poland

Abstract

Abstract At present the digital divide has started to be considered not so much in the context of Internet access itself or the skills of Internet users, but in terms of Internet performance. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that faster Internet made it easier to adapt to the new reality. But not all areas can benefit from good Internet connection. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify spatial regularities in Internet performance on a local scale. This study is based on a set of data generated by Internet users, collected using the publicly available Ookla Speedtest measurement tool. The information about Internet speed and latency obtained in this way shows the actual Internet speed experienced. The analyses have indicated significant characteristics of the spatial differentiation of Internet performance. First, in the case of the Internet, the core-periphery dimension is not universal and obvious, as regional systems are strongly marked. Second, perceiving the digital divide mainly through the prism of Internet access is an insufficient approach.