Connect Ohio Report Reveals Broadband Adoption Varies Significantly Across Socioeconomic Lines

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2011 

Media Contact: Amanda Murphy 

amurphy@connectohio.org

(614) 220-0190

Access the Findings 

New Connect Ohio online interactive tool illustrates existing technology adoption gaps and barriers in the state 

Columbus, OH — A new interactive application is now available on the Connect Ohio website that gives a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities for expanding broadband in targeted sectors. Most notably, a large percentage of low-income, senior, disabled adult, and rural households are without broadband at home, leaving them facing an uphill battle in keeping up with essential online resources, job and educational opportunities, and social services.

"Nearly one-third of Ohio households are not utilizing the digital opportunities of the Internet and this number is significantly larger among specific demographics,” Connect Ohio Executive Director Stu Johnson said. “The Internet opens a world of opportunity. Connect Ohio wants to ensure all Ohioans have access to the Internet's many benefits."

Ohio-specific technology adoption results and comparisons are available on the new consumer trends widget. This interactive tool gives people the ability to view, share, and download the results of the Ohio Residential Technology Assessment, data gathered by Connect Ohio and Connected Nation through a 2011 survey of more than 1200 Ohio adults. Below are some key findings: 

• Broadband adoption among low-income households in Ohio is 39%, well below the state average of 66%. • Computer ownership among disabled adults in Ohio is 58%, below the state average of 80%.
• According to the research, broadband and computer adoption is lagging among African-Americans and Hispanics in Ohio.
• The main barriers given for not subscribing to broadband are cost and not seeing a need for the technology.

Connect Ohio is a statewide public-private partnership working to increase broadband expansion and technology adoption through programs such as last mile technical outreach and Every Citizen Online.

For more information on Connect Ohio’s programs, visit http://connectohio.org. 

Download: Ohio Residential Technology Adoption Overview 

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org