Study says broadband adoption and prices grew this year
June 17, 2009
Broadband internet adoption has been mostly immune to the current economic recession, as consumers opted to cut back on other services such as cell phones and cable TV rather than cancelling internet service, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project.
Although broadband penetration continued to expand since last year, the survey of U.S. households also found that Americans are paying more for their broadband service. Home high speed internet users who reported more choices of providers paid less than those with just one available provider.
The average monthly bill for broadband service in April 2009 was $39, an increase from $34.50 in May 2008, Pew reported.
Population groups with low adoption rates experienced the greatest growth in broadband adoption over the past year. Broadband usage among adults ages 65 or older grew from 19 percent last year to 30 percent this year.
People with annual household income of $20,000 or less saw broadband adoption grow from 25 percent last year to 35 percent this year. Overall, homes with annual incomes below $30,000 experienced a 34 percent growth in home broadband adoption.
The study also found that more broadband subscribers are paying for premium service with faster speeds, but they are paying more for the extra speed than they did a year ago.
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