ITIF: Gov't must get involved to promote broadband adoption

A new report by Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) president Robert Atkinson urges policymakers to take steps to increase broadband adoption. The report points out that while 92 to 94 percent of Americans can subscribe to broadband, only approximately 65 percent have done so.

An ITIF briefing on October 30 explored policies that might improve those figures.

The report suggests that the government "fund a competition for ISPs to attract new subscribers in low-income communities" to increase adoption rates.

James Prieger, associate professor of public policy at Pepperdine University, posited that cost is a significant barrier to broadband adoption, and suggeted that broadband tax credits or subsidization programs could bring the price down for consumers.

Connected Nation's Laura Taylor noted that another barrier is inadequate digital literacy. Those who are not heavy Internet users such as seniors may not recognize the importance of broadband in receiving healthcare and interacting with their community.

The younger generation, said Prieger, is getting a basic level of digital literacy from the technology in public schools.

In the end, however, it may just come down to basic economics. "We need to help stimulate demand," said John Horrigan, consumer researcher for the National Broadband Taskforce with the FCC. Adoption is key to increased access. An uptick in adoption causes stimulated demand - this leads companies to increase supply, which leads to more affordable broadband for consumers.

Policies to Increase Broadband Adoption at Home (ITIF)

Balancing Broadband Supply and Demand in Quest to Stoke High-Speed Internet Adoption (Broadband Census)