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Latest post 07-08-2008 9:07 AM by amdcrankitup. 14 replies.
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  • 07-03-2008 11:27 PM

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    Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    A new study (.PDF) released Wednesday by the Pew Internet and American Life Project reveals that not everyone wants broadband. Seriously.

    According to the study, 55% of adult Americans now have broadband internet connections at home, up from 47% in 2007. Also according to the study, with the increase in broadband adoption, only 10% of Americans have dial-up.



    Whoa: that means 35% have no Internet access at all, if we did the math correctly.

    For those without broadband, the study gave the following reasons for not having broadband:
    Non-broadband users cite a number of reasons for not using the service - including availability, price, and lack of interest.
    • 62% of dial-up users say they are not interested in giving up their current connection for broadband.
    When asked specifically what it would take them to get them to switch to broadband:
    • 35% of dial-up users say that the price of broadband service would have to fall.
    • 19% of dial-up users said nothing would convince them to get broadband.
    • 14% of dial-up users – and 24% of dial-up users in rural America - say that broadband service would have to become available where they live.
    So part of it is availability, but price is the #1 reason. And interestingly, 19% said nothing would convince them to change. My guess is they've never experienced dial-up vs. broadband; once you have it's hard to go back.

    Or, they just plain aren't interested in the Internet.

    It's not age: the growth rate, according to the study, was strong: 26%. Since the overall growth rate among Americans was 17%, they outpaced the rest.

    So, as John Horrigan, the study's author says, this suggests that more people have to become clued into just what their missing when they don't have access to the Internet, whether at broadband speed, or at all, as with the 35% without Internet access.
    "That suggests that solving the supply problem where there are availability gaps is only going to go so far. It's going to have to be a process of getting people more engaged with information technology and demonstrating to people it's worth it for them to make the investment of time and money."
    That's true, but for many price is still an issue, as low-income Americans experienced a drop in broadband, with only 25% having broadband vs. 28% in 2007. After all, dial-up users reported monthly bills of $19.70, while DSL bills averaged $31.50 and cable modem service averaged $37.50.



    In late June the Internet for Everyone site was unveiled, noting the poor broadband adoption rate among Americans, and stating that "getting everyone connected to an open Internet should be a national priority." Price, availability, and perhaps some education into the advantages of broadband are all necessary.



    Oh, and don't get us started about our broadband speeds vs. other countries.



    The study surveyed 2,251 U.S. residents, between April 8 and May 11.
    • Post Points: 35

  • 07-04-2008 2:29 AM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    My mom said it was cost to much. I moved her over to cable internet and Vonage. After much much convincing she now saves money. She loves it. I did hook up a landline phone for 911 calls just in case f a power outage or something. I use Verison FioS and they install a battery backup with 5 hours of talk time if theres no power. Sorry to wonder off topic.

    If you'r upset because you can't afford shoes look at the man that has no legs. Lifes not so badBig Smile
    • Post Points: 20

  • 07-04-2008 8:03 AM In reply to

    RE: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    I wouldnt get on the internet if I had to use a phone modem it totally drives me nuts how slow it is.I guess thats just me I want the fastest computer and the fastest connection.I know money at times has a lot to do with a decision but my computer and the internet is my primary source of entertainment but also because Im homebound a lot unfortunatly not by choice.But a phone modem is tooooo slow when you got time to make dinner before a page load thats bad! LOL

    Current Rig Specs: Amd K7/600mhz 384mb PC133 32 mg Video Every time u see my specs you,ll love yours more!! Working on a New Rig!

     

     

     

     

     
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  • 07-04-2008 1:47 PM In reply to

    • Super Dave
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    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    bob_on_the_cob:
    I use Verison FioS and they install a battery backup with 5 hours of talk time if theres no power.

    Hey Bob, is that your actual internet speed shown in your signature? If it is, I am jealous! My AT&T DSL only gives me 5.1 mbps down and 659 kbps up.Tongue Tied

     SPAM-posters beware! ®
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  • 07-04-2008 2:57 PM In reply to

    • miscpenguin
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    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    Super Dave:

    bob_on_the_cob:
    I use Verison FioS and they install a battery backup with 5 hours of talk time if theres no power.

    Hey Bob, is that your actual internet speed shown in your signature? If it is, I am jealous! My AT&T DSL only gives me 5.1 mbps down and 659 kbps up.Tongue Tied

    No kidding, me too! FiOS is so cool. Sad

     
    • Post Points: 20

  • 07-05-2008 8:44 PM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    Fios Rules!!! this is my wireless laptop conection. I'll post my hardwired desktop tomorrow, it's even faster.

    Edit...I got sidetracked by the speed test, the reason I was responding to this topic was my wife wants to get rid of broadband and go back to dial up. That will NEVER HAPPEN!

    This is my Sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.

    OIIIIIIIIO

     
    • Post Points: 20

  • 07-05-2008 9:43 PM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    Yeah thats my actual speed. I had 20 down and 5 up but I got 15/15 for the same price when I moved.

    If you'r upset because you can't afford shoes look at the man that has no legs. Lifes not so badBig Smile
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  • 07-06-2008 12:18 AM In reply to

    • Super Dave
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    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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     So how much do you guys pay each month?

     SPAM-posters beware! ®
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  • 07-06-2008 11:54 AM In reply to

    • frg1
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    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    dang i wish they had fios were i lived

     

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  • 07-06-2008 12:06 PM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    Desktop connection.

    Dave, I was paying alot less but somehow my bill jumped like 70 bucks a month recently, and another 50 a few month back. I still need to call them about that. It's around 300 for internet, tv, home phone, and 2 cell phones

     

    This is my Sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.

    OIIIIIIIIO

     
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  • 07-06-2008 11:03 PM In reply to

    • ice91785
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    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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     That is very very spendy -- the speed would be nice but for that I will stick with Charter + Alltell for now (~$100 = Cable, Net, 3 cell phones). My internet speeds are 5Mb down and 384Kb up
    • Post Points: 20

  • 07-07-2008 5:46 AM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    I pay $55 for just internet. I had a buddy that had tv/phone/internet that they did that to.

    If you'r upset because you can't afford shoes look at the man that has no legs. Lifes not so badBig Smile
    • Post Points: 20

  • 07-07-2008 8:17 PM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    Yea; it is expensive, but I have a 2 year deal with them, I can't cancel or I'll be subject to cancelation fees. Plus the reason I went to verizon in the first place was how completley unreliable Cablevision was. All three home services literally were going out daily. I had the tech's out 3 times and each time they either blamed it on wireing inside my house or told me they found nothing wrong. I am a tech myself in a related field and knew for certain the problem was not related to anything inside my home. Finaly a tech came and agreed with my diagnosis, and told me another crew would have to come out to work on the pole. To make an already long story shorter Cablevision told me the problem was fixed, I got home that night and out all three went. When I called them to cancel the service they offerd to have a tech come out and fix the problem, I explained they tried that 5 times and the women literally told me "Oh no sir, your last service call was cancelled, we've only been there 4 times." I laughed hysterically at her and told her they were fired. I havn't looked back since. I have not lost internet, phone or t.v. since I switched. I am certain the price I agreed to is written in the paperwork I signed, I need to dig it out and complain, i'm just too freaking busy with work and a newborn that calling verizon to haggle over money is low priority. It is a decent sum though, the more I sit here and think about it i'll be calling them tomorrow.

    This is my Sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.

    OIIIIIIIIO

     
    • Post Points: 20

  • 07-07-2008 11:17 PM In reply to

    • Der Meister
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    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    after 6 years ofr dial up at home my mom finaly got with the program and invested in cable

    "Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window."

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  • 07-08-2008 9:07 AM In reply to

    Re: Not Everyone Wants Broadband. Seriously.

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    Der Meister:

    after 6 years ofr dial up at home my mom finaly got with the program and invested in cable

     

    Dang its bad to have all that power on a dial up!

     

    Current Rig Specs: Amd K7/600mhz 384mb PC133 32 mg Video Every time u see my specs you,ll love yours more!! Working on a New Rig!

     

     

     

     

     
    • Post Points: 5
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