The Challenges of Closing the Digital Divide

A Q&A with Commissioner Mignon Clyburn of the Federal Communications Commission.

When asked, "What do we know about the people who aren’t able to obtain access to or afford broadband?" Commissioner Clyburn responded, "Tens of millions of people are caught in the divide, and what we know is many are low-income and in rural areas. In total, 10 percent of Americans, or 34 million people, lack access to what we define as high-speed Internet. Many more do not adopt broadband for many reasons — especially cost — and the adoption problem particularly affects low-income people." When asked, "Why aren’t people adopting internet when it is available to them? Is it just cost? I’ve seen surveys citing skepticism over the relevance of the Internet." Clyburn responded, "What is the definition of relevance? And relative to what? I think someone who doesn’t adopt may not admit to you that they have some type of challenge in digital literacy. They may say they don’t need it when the real answer may be that they aren’t comfortable with a keyboard or mouse."