New Research Highlights Barriers to Home Internet Adoption and Affordable Connectivity Program Participation
A recent study conducted by Connected Nation (CN) and supported by AT&T has shed light on the obstacles preventing many households from adopting home broadband and participating in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The findings, published in a report titled Mind the Gap: Closing the Digital Divide through affordability, access, and adoption, provide valuable insights into the reasons why over 30 million eligible households in the United States are not taking advantage of internet services at home or accessing the ACP.
The research gathered quantitative and qualitative data from households in five selected markets: San Francisco, California; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; and Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the key findings revealed that nationally, more than 25% of low-income respondents surveyed do not subscribe to home internet service. Moreover, this rate is even higher in cities with lower median household incomes.
Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO of CN, stressed the importance of not making assumptions about families or individuals who choose not to subscribe to high-speed internet. He emphasized the need to identify the underlying pain points and work together to find comprehensive solutions that not only expand broadband access but also help people adopt and utilize the resources it offers.
Mylayna Albright, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at AT&T, expressed concern over the number of people, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods, who are not benefiting from the vast opportunities that the internet provides. Albright emphasized the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of the barriers to internet adoption, in order to provide targeted support and resources to connect more individuals to these opportunities.
The study revealed that nearly 9% of low-income respondents cited the high monthly cost of internet service as the primary reason for not subscribing. While the ACP aims to alleviate this cost burden, the research highlighted that the most common hindrance to the program’s utilization was lack of general awareness, with 35.8% of non-participating low-income households being unfamiliar with the ACP. Additionally, concerns about eligibility were expressed by 30.5% of non-participants who did not think they qualified for the program.
However, among those who did participate in the ACP, an overwhelming majority of 82.4% expressed high satisfaction with the program’s sign-up process. Furthermore, they reported using their internet connection for invaluable resources such as homework, telework, participating in video meetings, and taking online classes.
Connected Nation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to broadband and its related technologies for all people. The organization firmly believes that everyone deserves to be connected in today’s digital age.
Overall, the study sheds light on the critical issue of the digital divide and the challenges associated with home internet adoption and participation in the ACP. By identifying the barriers and exploring potential solutions, stakeholders can work together to bridge this gap and create a more inclusive and connected society.
