Rural broadband penetration remains 10 percentage points behind the national average

The broadband penetration rate in urban and suburban households is almost double the rate in rural areas. Though growing, rural Internet penetration has remained roughly 10 percentage points behind the national average. In 2005, 18 percent of rural adults reported a home broadband connection, compared to 31 percent of urban adults. In 2006, 25 percent of rural adults reported a home broadband connection compared to 44 percent of urban adults.

(See John B. Horrigan. Home Broadband Adoption 2006. Pew Internet & American Life Project. May 28, 2006.)