Potomac, Chevy Chase have fastest internet service in the country, according to PCMag study
The tech publication PCMag rolled out the results of its latest survey of the fastest internet service providers in the U.S. this month and determined that Potomac and Chevy Chase are home to the speediest internet connections.
Potomac was ranked No. 1 in the study followed by Chevy Chase at No. 2. PCMag credited the fast speeds—about 650 megabytes per second download and upload rates—to the local area’s Verizon Fios service. Verizon’s fiber optic network in the area outpaced other locations such as Lubbock and Machaca in Texas, which are served by AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber, respectively.
Places with the fastest internet service, chart provided by PCMag.
Maryland also ranked first in fastest state internet service. The state had an average upload and download speed of about 157 megabytes per second—more than 50 mbps more than second-place South Dakota and third-place Texas.
The publication collected speed-test results from readers who used PCMag’s own internet speed- testing program to rank the download and upload speeds of internet service providers across the country.
Peloton coming to Bethesda Row
The cycling business Peloton is joining the lineup at Bethesda Row. The exercise company is opening at a 1,900-square-foot space on Bethesda Avenue next to Warby Parker and Five Guys Burgers and Fries, according to Federal Realty’s website. Federal Realty owns and leases the buildings at Bethesda Row. Peloton is filling the space vacated by retailer Ministry, which closed earlier this year after opening in 2016.
Peloton features high-end stationary bikes that enable riders to track their speed and distance traveled and compete against other riders in the instructor-guided group classes. The company also sells the bikes online, so customers who buy them can join group classes via video feed in their homes. Peloton also has a location at Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda. The new Bethesda Row location will be about a block away from Soulcycle, which is on Elm Street.
Image left: A Peloton instructor. Via Peloton on Instagram
Kevin Hughes to step down as chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission
North Bethesda resident Kevin Hughes, who has served as chairman of Maryland’s Public Service Commission since 2013, will step down from the role at the state’s utility regulator at the end of his term on June 30. Hughes was first appointed to the commission by Gov. Martin O’Malley in 2011 and took over as chairman in January 2013 after Douglas Nazarian stepped down.
“I am proud of the many accomplishments the commission has achieved during this time, including improved reliability for electric customers, significant investments in aging gas pipeline infrastructure and nation-leading clean energy programs such as community solar and offshore wind,” Hughes said in a statement.
Gov. Larry Hogan is responsible for appointing the next chairperson. The regulator reviews and approves rates for utilities such as Pepco and Washington Gas as well as taxi services and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.