No Internet access restricts many Pennsylvanians; Allentown among nation's least-connected cities

At least 55 million Americans lack reliable broadband Internet access at home -- an issue that has swiftly moved from a nuisance to an impediment. In Pennsylvania, nearly one quarter of households lack Internet entirely, according to 2013 U.S. Census data. Allentown (PA), along with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Erie (PA), were among the least-connected cities with 100,000 or more residents. Seventy to 77 percent of households in those cities had Internet access. The Pew Research Center found that disconnected Americans were more likely to be in lower income brackets and in rural areas.

Not only is it expensive to create municipal networks, but in Pennsylvania and 18 other states, there are limitations on municipal broadband. Pennsylvania law requires phone service providers such as Verizon to be offered the chance of providing the desired Internet service before the community is allowed to step in. Big cities tend to stay out of the Internet business, leaving the giants to set the prices. To meet the Federal Communications Commission Internet speed standard in Pittsburgh, it's at least $44.99 monthly plus tax and equipment charges, rising after the first two years of service. In Philadelphia, the headquarters of the country's largest home Internet service provider, Comcast, about 173,800 households are without service, according to 2013 Census estimates. In Pittsburgh, more people are turning to public libraries for Wi-Fi than ever before. Wi-Fi use throughout Pittsburgh's Carnegie Library system increased 19 percent between 2013 and 2014, with Wi-Fi sessions surpassing library computer use for the first time, according to the library's annual report.