All Races Agree That Broadband is a Necessity

According to a recent report by the Internet Innovation Alliance, we all can agree that broadband is hard to give up once you’ve had a taste. This seems to hold true regardless of race. Basically, broadband is the new crack. I know for a fact that I couldn’t imagine living without high-speed internet access.

Net consumer benefits from broadband use are about $32 billion per year, which is much higher than the estimate of  $20 billion in 2005. Even those with low-income or who may have recently lost their job tend to hold onto their broadband internet access as a necessity. It seems that it’s become one of those bills that we find a way to pay.

For example, people appear unwilling to cut their broadband even when they lose their jobs, based on their need for connectivity as reflected in the significant jump upwards in use of job board and career information sites during the economic downturn.

Race doesn’t appear to be a factor in whether we think broadband is a necessity or not, but we do see differences based on other variables.

there are significant differences in how much broadband is valued according to age, level of education, and income. For example, younger GenY and “GenX” heads of households (44 years of age and younger) value broadband much more than older householders (45 years of age and older).

Race does become a factor in who chooses to initially adopt broadband access. It’s easy to get hooked, but it seems many in the black community are just saying “No.” The report states that “82 percent of Asian households were connected to broadband, while only 57 percent of black/African-American households had adopted it”  in 2008.

There are many conclusions that can be drawn here, but the basic idea is clear and one that we are all too familiar with: Blacks and other minorities just don’t have enough access to the Internet. No Internet access decreases your opportunities for gaining knowledge.

• 84 percent of “GenY” households (ages between 18 and 24) were connected to broadband at home, while only 43 percent of senior households (ages 65+) had adopted it.
• 83 percent of college graduate households were connected to broadband at home, while only 38 percent of households with less than high school diplomas had adopted it.

Sure, there are libraries and books, but relying solely on old school methods of education is just like relying on old school methods of transportation and I’m pretty sure the person with access to a car will beat the horse-drawn carriage any day. Knowledge is power, so think about that the next time such-and-such wants to come over and “use your internet.”