Big Divide Found in Internet Access in NYC

According to a report released by the New York City's Broadband Advisory Committee, 26 percent of low income households have broadband connections at home compared to 54 percent in moderate-to-high income households. The lack of a computer and the high cost of broadband were the most often cited by residents for why they did not have a high-speed Internet connection in their home. Though DSL lines from Verizon and other providers are available in 87 percent of New York City addresses, 46.4 percent of New York City households have a broadband line. Usage varied widely by borough. The highest adoption rate was in Staten Island — 57.9 percent — followed by Manhattan at 55.7 percent. In Queens, 46.4 percent of homes have broadband connections, with Brooklyn (41.5 percent) and the Bronx (38.5 percent) bringing up the rear. Many of those without broadband at home still use the Internet, of course. One-third of the 1,140 residents surveyed said the public library is their sole source of Internet access. More than half of those surveyed without home Internet service used public library computers at least three times a week. The report did not say whether these residents logged onto the Internet in their workplace, or used mobile phones to send and receive e-mail messages, and check Web sites.