The NTIA released a recent study, showing that broadband usage continues to climb. More than two-thirds of U.S. homes access the internet through broadband connections, and another 9% report using broadband services outside the home (but not at home). Still, one in five households reported having no internet connection; about half (47%) of those said it was because they had no need or interest in it, and 39% citing costs or inadequate computer resources.
The report found some variation in broadband adoption rates among various ethnic groups and income levels, but also indicated that most of the differences disappeared when controlling for age, income, education level, and location (broadband remains less available in rural areas).
In a conference call with reporters announcing the report, NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling claimed that 100 million Americans were “cut off from the Internet at home” - a “troubling statistic in the 21st century economy.” The claim isn't supported by the report however - the report indicates that 20% of homes do not use the internet, but that for 90% of them, it is a choice. That means that only about 2% of U.S. households are "cut off from the Internet at home," if you mean that there is no access available. Even if you include those who indicate that they don't have access due to cost, that's still less than 10% of households. And for most of them, they still would have access outside the home - less than 5% of households don't identify alternative access points like work, school, public libraries, or other people's houses.
I understand that administration officials like to spin these studies to support policy goals, but how you get 100 million people from less than 5% of U.S. households goes way beyond your typical spin, even for this administration.
Sources - NTIA report: Broadband usage up, but broadband education needed, Connected Planet online
Full NTIA report - Exploring the Digital Nation
The report found some variation in broadband adoption rates among various ethnic groups and income levels, but also indicated that most of the differences disappeared when controlling for age, income, education level, and location (broadband remains less available in rural areas).
In a conference call with reporters announcing the report, NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling claimed that 100 million Americans were “cut off from the Internet at home” - a “troubling statistic in the 21st century economy.” The claim isn't supported by the report however - the report indicates that 20% of homes do not use the internet, but that for 90% of them, it is a choice. That means that only about 2% of U.S. households are "cut off from the Internet at home," if you mean that there is no access available. Even if you include those who indicate that they don't have access due to cost, that's still less than 10% of households. And for most of them, they still would have access outside the home - less than 5% of households don't identify alternative access points like work, school, public libraries, or other people's houses.
I understand that administration officials like to spin these studies to support policy goals, but how you get 100 million people from less than 5% of U.S. households goes way beyond your typical spin, even for this administration.
Sources - NTIA report: Broadband usage up, but broadband education needed, Connected Planet online
Full NTIA report - Exploring the Digital Nation