Encouraging Statistics Show Broadband Adoption on the Rise

By Bruce

The new study by former Clinton economist Jonathan Orszag presents some interesting facts and figures examining nationwide trends for adopting broadband Internet. 

Orszag found that the number of households adopting broadband Internet service has increased six-fold from just 10.4 million households in 2001 to 66.6 million households in 2008. Not surprisingly, a corresponding decrease in households with dial-up Internet was identified during the same period, falling from 44.2 million in 2001 to just 10.5 million last year. And the number of homes without Internet service has also declined from 53.6 million to 39.7 million.

While this extraordinary growth in broadband adoption is satisfying for advocates like me, it also reminds us that we have a great deal of work left to do because almost 40 million homes still have not signed up for any Internet service at all. Fortunately, Orszag’s study also demonstrates that Americans’ positive attitudes toward broadband Internet are aligned with its continued expansion, capacity and adoption.

These are encouraging signs, but we must persist in our efforts until broadband adoption rates approach 100 percent and reach every corner of the country. Broadband offers too many opportunities in education, employment, health care, information and entertainment to leave so many families without the service.