As discussed in the Washington Post, slow Internet speed is usually in the hands of your Internet service provider. Since net neutrality was recently struck down by a major court, Internet service providers technically now have the freedom to throttle Internet traffic as they see fit. In theory, Internet service providers can charge companies such as Pandora, Netflix, Hulu, and other multimedia websites fees to deliver content through their networks. If the companies choose not to pay, the Internet provider can intentionally slow down the traffic.
The FCC tried to speed things up but Verizon challenged them and won. Comcast held Netflix hostage for more money to offer more speed. It is all about the money and other countries have solved the speed problem.
Here is an article that discusses the recent developments about internet speeds. Feel sorry for Verizon and Comcast if you want, but it is all about the money. The last paragraph of this article says it all.
Net Neutrality