Source: Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project [pdf]
Notes: The percentage of American adults with broadband service at home has plateaued, reports the Pew Research Center in a recent study, as this year’s 67% with broadband is down from 70% in 2013. The drop-off has been particularly stark over the past couple of years for African-Americans (down 8% points to 54%), Hispanics (down 6% points to 50%) and 18-29-year-olds (down 6% points to 75%). These groups are among the fastest growing when it comes to smartphone reliance for home internet connectivity.
Overall, some 13% of US adults have a smartphone but do not have home broadband service, per the report, up 5% points from 2013. The increase in “smartphone-only” adoption has been notable for groups including:
- Parents (+7% points to 17%);
- African-Americans (+9% points to 19%);
- Hispanics (+7% points to 23%);
- 18-29-year-olds (+7% points to 19%);
- 30-49-year-olds (+7% points to 16%);
- Those with a high school degree or less (+7% points to 18%); and
- Those with household income less than $20k (+8% points to 21%).
Cost is the primary reason cited by those who don’t have broadband service.
Related: Pay-TV, Broadband Subs Continue Moving in Opposite Directions
About the Data: Pew notes that its “analysis of change in broadband and ‘smartphone-only’ adoption from 2013 to 2015 are based on a September 2013 survey of 6,010 adults, ages 18 years and older, and combined surveys from April 2015 (1,934 adults); July 2015 (2,001 adults); and November 2015 (2,752 adults), for a total of 6,687 adult respondents.”