Half Americans doubt government broadband role

More than half of Americans generally disagree with federal government efforts to expand broadband connections around the nation, saying those projects are not important, according to a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

When asked their views about efforts by the government to provide affordable high-speed Internet access to everyone in the country, 53 percent said the government shouldn't attempt the effort or that it was "not too important" a priority, according to the Pew Center report. The phone survey of 2,252 adults comes as the Obama Administration and Federal Communications Commission have made it a priority to bring broadband Internet connections that are faster and more affordable to all homes. Aaron Smith, a senior researcher at Pew and author of the report, said there could be several reasons why respondents were mixed in their views about the importance of broadband. The economic recession has caused some to view broadband Internet access as more of a luxury than necessity. And respondents were uncertain about the benefits of broadband. "The surprise is that non-users are the least inclined to think government has a role in the spread of broadband," Smith said. And "many non users are anxious to see the government promoting technologies that they view as difficult to use and offering uncertain benefits."