Low-Income Families Still Behind in Broadband Gap

A new survey by the Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project reveals a persistent and troubling digital divide based on income.

A look at the numbers shows that 87 percent of those in households earning over $75,000 annually subscribe to broadband at home, compared to only 40 percent of those earning under $30,000 a year. These discrepancies affect not only broadband use, but also the adoption of other web technologies in the home, such as desktop and laptop computers, e-book readers, tablet computers and mobile phones.

The trend is clear: across the board, lower-income families are falling behind with regards to connectivity.

Speed Matters has long-supported solutions that would bridge the digital divide. Speed Matters supports creating a national Digital Literacy Corps, as part of the AmeriCorps service program ,to help teach people how to use broadband technology and get the connectivity they need to compete in a modern economy.

With an increasingly digital economy, families need a reliable connection to do everything from keeping up with the news to managing their bank accounts. By ensuring that broadband connectivity is universal, everyone can be a part of America's web future.

Use of the Internet in higher-income households (Pew)

FCC Recommendations Address Broadband Disparities in Low-Income Communities (Speed Matters)

Digital Literacy Corps