Wireless RERC - broadband adoption

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.

New Legislation for Rural Broadband Deployment

blippincott4 — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:25:04 +0000

broadband deployment

broadband adoption

broadband assistance programs

The Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act of 2012 [S.2271]

03.29.12 – U.S. Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced new legislation, The Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act of 2012 [S.2271], regarding grants to subsidize rural broadband deployment. The Act would amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 by implementing the grant program to provide funds to private stakeholders, non-profits, government entities, and higher education institutions for facilitating broadband deployment in rural or underserved areas. The proposed legislation would also allow the Department of Agriculture to award each grant, up to fifty percent of project costs. The Act would amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 by adding Section 604, which allocates funds to create a national clearinghouse containing easily accessible information concerning “options, opportunities, resources, successful public-private partnerships, comprehensive funding sources, and technology tutorials for rural broadband.” Lastly, the Act calls for a report to be made to Congress concerning the effectiveness of current Federal broadband assistance programs and broadband access policies for rural and underserved areas, best practices of broadband adoption by state and local governments, and the coordination of federal efforts for rural broadband deployment.

[Source: U.S. Government Printing Office]

New Census Questions Proposed

blippincott4 — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Department of Commerce

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

broadband adoption

FCC

Department of Commerce Comment Request

04.11.12 – The Department of Commerce has issued a comment request concerning The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) proposal to add 12 questions to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 Current Population Survey. The questions proposed by NTIA concern the use of broadband and high speed Internet and computer ownership. According to the comment request, government agencies such as the FCC and NTIA are working to develop policies that align with President Obama’s “national goal of universal, affordable broadband access for all Americans.” Furthermore, these departments cite a need of comprehensive data in order to effectively implement policies regarding broadband by considering the current progress of broadband deployment and adoption. Comments concerning this request are due June 4, 2012.

[Source: Department of Commerce]

Digital Differences

blippincott4 — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

broadband adoption

disability statistics

04.13.12 – “Digital Differences,” a report examining the demographics of those who have and those who lack Internet access, was released by the Pew Research Center. The report highlights that 78% of Americans ages 18 and older use the Internet and 65% of adults have home broadband access. Those who do not use the Internet or have home broadband access are more likely to be over the age of 65, earn less than $30,000 a year, and have less than a high school education. Those who were found not to be Internet users also stated that their lack of access was either due to a disinterest in the Internet, a lack of a computer, or the high cost of the Internet. The report also highlights that having a disability plays a role in Internet use, with 54% of adults with disabilities using the Internet compared to 81% of adults without a disability and 41% of adults with disabilities having home broadband access compared to 69% of adults without disabilities. In terms of mobile devices, the report stated that 63% of adults use mobile devices to go online wirelessly. In addition, the report states that Smartphone ownership is now more prevalent than basic mobile phones with 46% of adults owning a Smartphone compared to 41% of adults who owned a basic cellphone. [Source: Pew Research Center]

Additional Information:

Digital Differences

[ http://pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2012/PIP_Digital_differences_041312.pdf]