Wireless RERC - National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Update on Broadband Adoption and Use

mz22 — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:55:46 +0000

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

June 2013 — The Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released Exploring the Digital Nation: America’s Emerging Online Experience, a report describing the adoption and use of broadband in the United States. According to the report broadband is available to over 90% of Americans, but the percentage who actually use it in the home is about 70%. Reasons cited for the disparity include cost and the perception that there is no need to use the Internet at home. Adoption rates also varied according to demographics. For example, broadband adoption was lower among rural households, households headed by a person with a disability, and households with lower income. Nevertheless, the NTIA report argues that broadband adoption can be beneficial for finding employment, career training, accessing medical information, encouraging civic engagement, and accessing financial information and consumer services.

Broadband Adoption Toolkit

mz22 — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:09:20 +0000

broadband adoption

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

NTIA Broadband Adoption Toolkit

May 8, 2013 — The Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the Broadband Adoption Toolkit in an effort to help document and share effective practices gathered from recipients of grants through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The toolkit highlights that approximately 100 million people have yet to adopt broadband in their homes and provides guidance for initiatives working to bring people online. Specifically, the toolkit notes that only 38% of people with disabilities have broadband at home which is compounded by the fact that “for people with disabilities, using a computer can pose a multitude of unique barriers.” The toolkit provides recommendations such as providing a mobile computer lab which is ADA compliant, ensuring instructors are trained to help meet the needs of people with disabilities, and making organizational changes to welcome people with disabilities and ensure accessibility.

Wireless RERC Recommends Accessibility Concerns be Included in the NTIA CPS Supplement

blippincott4 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:09:31 +0000

Wireless RERC

Department of Commerce

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Current Population Survey

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

05.31.2012 – The Wireless RERC filed comments with the Department of Commerce “In the Matter of Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey” [FR Doc. 2012-8103]. The comments responded to a proposal by The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration to add twelve questions to the Current Population Survey (CPS) Computer and Internet Use Supplement. The comments highlight that broadband availability, affordability and accessibility are directly important for people with disabilities. Specifically, for many deaf and hard of hearing people, broadband applications encompassing text and video-based communications and data access are their most important broadband wireless device functions. Therefore, the Wireless RERC proposed that additional demographic questions should be added to the CPS asking respondents to self-identify if they have a disability, allowing for the determination of specific trends amongst disability populations. In addition, the comments proposed to include questions concerning if an individual utilizes assistive technology to access the Internet and its content, and if accessibility issues or the cost of assistive technology were concerns when purchasing broadband services or equipment. [Source: WirelessRERC]

Related Files:

Attachment	Size
Wireless RERC NTIA Comments	45.98 KB