Study Finds Four Broadband Adoption Success Factors

Aiming to help bridge the ¨digital divide,¨ a new study from the Benton Foundation identifies four core, interrelated digital inclusion activities deemed essential in helping low-income individuals and families access and make good use of broadband connectivity.

Based on a survey of eight digital inclusion organizations and authored by Dr. Colin Rhinesmith, the report can help better inform and guide policymakers at the local, state and federal levels, and can help researchers, practitioners and other key stakeholders achieve greater success in promoting meaningful broadband adoption for low income families and households. Despite the widely recognized importance of broadband access and digital skills in society, Dr. Rhinesmith highlights the various, persistent obstacles hindering digital inclusion organizations and initiatives.

¨[A]ccessible, reliable, and affordable broadband service continues to be out of reach for millions of Americans, many of whom live in low-income households,” said Rhinesmith. ¨This gap in adoption of high-speed Internet and the lack of skills needed to use broadband-enabled tools in meaningful ways continue to be significant problems that policymakers, researchers, and practitioners have all focused their attention on for over a decade.”