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Pew: Broadband Growth Stalls, Smartphone-Only Homes Grow

According to the latest data from the Pew Research Center, 67% of US residents now have a home broadband connection. The report notes that growth has plateaued for home broadband growth for several reasons, the biggest one being that with the price of residential broadband so high, many people (low income families especially) have opted to having their smartphone as the only connectivity option.

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Pew notes smartphone adoption has reached parity with home broadband adoption (68% now have one), and 13% of Americans are “smartphone-only” – which is up from 8% in 2013.

Among non-broadband adopters, 33% of those surveyed told Pew that the monthly cost of service is the main reason they lack broadband at home, with an additional 10% citing the cost of a computer as their main reason for not having broadband service.

Among those who don't have broadband, Pew notes that 36% had a subscription in the past, while 59% say they've never had a home broadband connection. In addition, just 25% of non-adopters are interested in subscribing to broadband service in the future, while 70% say they are not interested in doing so.

Pew's latest survey also took a quick look at cord cutting. Pew found that 15% of Americans have now cut the cord, and another 9% have never had traditional cable service. That's roughly a country of the country that's either a cord cutter or a "cord never." Interestingly, 42% of cord cutters don't have a traditional home broadband connection.

Most recommended from 43 comments


itguy05
join:2005-06-17
Carlisle, PA

10 recommendations

itguy05

Member

Love my iPhone 6+ BUT...

While I Love my iPhone 6+, I couldn't stand the thought of using to as my only Internet connection. Using that screen and keyboard would just suck day in and day out.

howsthis6
@charter.com

5 recommendations

howsthis6

Anon

real reason

Many people live in areas where cable/DSL/Fiber doesn't exist and the only options are either mobile or satellite which are both expensive and severely capped. Also there is still a significant population over age 65 that doesn't see the use in the internet. If wired internet was available to everyone then the number would be higher than 67%. Also in 20 years as the current 65+ crowed becomes a smaller percentage of the population the number will go up.
clone (banned)
join:2000-12-11
Portage, IN

4 recommendations

clone (banned)

Member

Ah, the "pool pissers"

quote:
Interestingly, 42% of cord cutters don't have a traditional home broadband connection.
I wonder how many of those are the ones trying to stream HD Netflix over a cellular connection 24x7 to ensure congestion stays high and caps stay low.

Flyonthewall
@teksavvy.com

3 recommendations

Flyonthewall

Anon

This report sounds like a push pull for stock growth

People prefer expensive and severely capped wireless to broadband? BS. Connections may be slowing but only because some companies (AT&T) are dropping broadband and going wireless for the crazy revenue returns. It isn't sustainable, but you'll never get them to admit that publicly. Industry trying to control how you use the internet is never going to last. They will only be able to push so far, and then people will either find an alternative or walk away. No one likes to be told how to do something when they pay for the service. Be like car manufacturers dictating speeds and travel routes to their customers.

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

2 recommendations

cork1958

Premium Member

Charter is a prime example

Charter is a prime example of broadband that is to expensive with it's take it or leave it $50+ a month cheapest plan!

They are planning on a cheaper plan if the TW deal goes through for people who can do triple back flips while still drinking water and stay on their feet!!