Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

FCC: Broadband Adoption and Use in America

A new report released today by John B. Horrigan, formerly of Pew Internet and now at the Federal Communications Commission, finds that 78% of adults in the U.S. are internet users and 65% of adults have home broadband access.

Adults who do not have broadband at home fall into four categories:

Digitally Distant: 10% of the general population. Median age is 63. Half say that the internet is not relevant to their lives or they lack the digital literacy to adopt broadband.

Digital Hopefuls: 8% of the general population. Low-income, heavily Hispanic and African American. Likely to say they want to go online, but lack the resources.

Digitally Uncomfortable: 7% of the general population. Likely to own a computer, but lack skills and interest in taking advantage of all the internet has to offer.

Near Converts: 10% of the general population. Median age is 45. Cost is the biggest barrier to having broadband at home.

These findings are in line with Pew Internet’s previous work, including:

Internet, broadband, and cell phone statistics

Wireless Internet Use

The Mobile Difference (technology user types)

Stimulating Broadband: If Obama builds it, will they log on?

The FCC survey included interviews with 5,005 Americans in October-November 2009. Download the full report (PDF) at FCC.gov

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