22% of Rural Americans: Broadband is Cost-Prohibitive

As of October 2009, 64% of U.S. households reported having broadband connections. The finding comes from a new report released by NTIA showcasing American broadband usage.

Although this represents a 25% increase from just two years earlier, it still means that 35% of all households and approximately 40% of all persons lacked access to broadband services. It’s a harsh reality in a digital world where broadband access is critical to employment and improving your quality of life.

Americans cite various reasons for lack of broadband adoption, and their responses vary in regards to urban and rural users.

In urban areas, 27% said the service was too expensive, 19% did not have a computer,  but just 1% of users without broadband stated it wasn’t available.

In rural markets, 22% said broadband is too expensive, 16% reported lack of access to a computer, and 11% still said they don’t have access to broadband.

Also of note, in both urban and rural areas, approximately 38% of consumers said they are not interested in the service.

Other highlights from the report: not surprisingly, people with low incomes, seniors, minorities, the less-educated, non-family households and the non-employed tend to lag behind other groups in home broadband use.

The report, entitled “Digital Nation: 21st Century America’s Progress toward Universal Broadband Internet Access,” was compiled from a Census Bureau survey of about 54,000 households and 129,000 consumers conducted in October 2009. You can view the entire report on NTIA’s website.

Ars Technica has more.

Related posts:

1. 53% of Americans Say Broadband Access Not a Govt Priority
2. Rural Broadband Adoption Jumps 22%
3. Broadband Gains Ground in Rural Areas
4. VOTW: Quality, High-Speed Broadband for All Americans
5. ISPs Add Rural Broadband Customers at Double-digit Pace