Rural Youth: Cell Phones are Essential

The 2009 Rural Youth Telecommunications Survey, conducted jointly by the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) and NTCA, finds a significant number of today’s young, rural Americans view cellular telephone service as more essential than traditional landline telephone service, and the group views cell phones as a device capable of much more than voice calls.

Nearly nine out of ten respondents indicated they have a cell phone. Ninety percent of respondents use cell phones for purposes other than making voice calls. The majority use their phones for text messaging (72%) and picture taking (50%).

The annual survey also explored wireless, Internet and video usage habits of rural youth. According to the survey, more than 90% of rural youth have an Internet connection in their home, and 49% receive the service from their local telephone company.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents consider broadband Internet access an essential telecommunications service. Nearly half (48%) of respondents spend between one and three hours online daily, with 24% falling into the category of “heavy users,” meaning they are online for more than three hours per day. E-mail (72%) continues to be the top online activity.

The Rural Youth Telecommunications Survey examines the telecommunications usage habits of over rural youth, ages 14-23. The 2009 survey received nearly 2,000 responses, the most ever since its inception.

FRS held a webcast on September 29, to discuss the results of the 2009 Rural Youth Telecommunications Survey. Watch the archived webcast.

View the entire survey report (NTCA member log-in required).

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5. Two More Rural Carriers Join Verizon’s LTE in Rural America Program