Broadband 2010: A Big Slowdown
by Aaron Smith, Research Specialist, Pew Internet & American Life Project
August 11, 2010
After several consecutive years of modest but consistent growth, broadband adoption slowed dramatically in 2010. Two-thirds of American adults (66%) currently use a high-speed internet connection at home, a figure that is not statistically different from what the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project found at a similar point in 2009, when 63% of Americans were broadband adopters.
The lack of growth in broadband adoption at the national level was mirrored across a range of demographic groups, with African Americans being a major exception. Broadband adoption by African Americans now stands at 56%, up from 46% at a similar point in 2009. That works out to a 22% year-over-year growth rate, well above the national average and by far the highest growth rate of any major demographic group. Over the last year, the broadband-adoption gap between blacks and whites has been cut nearly in half:
- In 2009, 65% of whites and 46% of African Americans were broadband users (a 19-point gap)
- In 2010, 67% of whites and 56% of African Americans are broadband users (an 11-point gap)
By a 53%-to-41% margin, Americans say they do not believe that the spread of affordable broadband should be a major government priority. Contrary to what some might suspect, non-internet users are less likely than current users to say the government should place a high priority on the spread of high-speed connections.
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I wonder why? Perhaps the "baby boomer" age bump has moved far enough through the population that more adults are seeking peace and quiet as they get older?
Bill Horne Moderator