This is not a new thing... The US has always lagged behind the rest of the world in internet speeds.
It's a simple thing really though... the US is a HUGE country compared to most... smaller countries in Asia and Europe can roll out infrastructure faster than the US can because we have to span such large distances... It's just the nature of the beast.
Most countries don't have land you can buy anymore either, it's all used up, but not in the US, hell, they'll give it to you for free in some places as long as you put a shack on it.