It's often argued that the U.S. is lagging behind in broadband adoption compared to other first-world countries around the globe. With broadband becoming an important tool for work, play and communication, that's a statement that could bode bad times ahead for a country which has always taken somewhat of a lead in technology; If it's true.

A new study which looks at the numbers in a different way, weighing in price, average income, education levels and population density tells a slightly different story. According to CNet, The Phoenix Institute claims, "we find that the United States generally meets expectations in its conversion of its national endowments into broadband subscriptions"

Comforting news or creative accounting?