Broadband News
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American broadband adoption growing, but with inequalities
08 Nov 2010 | 16.21 Europe/London
A report from the United States' Commerce Department today shows that while residential broadband growth has been huge in the past decade, the uptake in online services has not been widely distributed, particularly among African-American and Hispanic households.
The Government figures show that nearly two in three households (63.5%) are now online compared to less than one in ten in 2001. However, wealthy non Hispanic white and Asian families, appear to be more connected than other demographic groups. More than three in four Asian households are online and 68% of non-Hispanic white families have broadband at home compared to 49% for African-American and 47% for Hispanic homes.
Also, 94% of families with an income exceeding $100k per annum have broadband compared to 35% for families with an income below $25k.
The racial and financial inequalities in broadband uptake across the United States are well known issue for the FCC. It is hoping that putting Federal budget in to pushing broadband further in to rural areas as well as releasing more spectrum for mobile broadband services will help close the gap.
The Government figures show that nearly two in three households (63.5%) are now online compared to less than one in ten in 2001. However, wealthy non Hispanic white and Asian families, appear to be more connected than other demographic groups. More than three in four Asian households are online and 68% of non-Hispanic white families have broadband at home compared to 49% for African-American and 47% for Hispanic homes.
Also, 94% of families with an income exceeding $100k per annum have broadband compared to 35% for families with an income below $25k.
The racial and financial inequalities in broadband uptake across the United States are well known issue for the FCC. It is hoping that putting Federal budget in to pushing broadband further in to rural areas as well as releasing more spectrum for mobile broadband services will help close the gap.