The Voice of the Innovation Economy

MEASURING BROADBAND PROGRAM IMPACTS

John B. Horrigan, PhDVice President, Policy Research

HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION 2001 -- 2012

(Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

61.0%

65.0%

PERCENT OF AMERICANS WITH SMARTPHONES

2009 2011 201205

101520253035404550

17

35

46

Source: Pew Internet

SMARTPHONES & HOME BROADBAND

• 83% of those with smartphones have home broadband.

• Put differently, 23% of those without home broadband have smartphones only.

• Adding “smartphone only” adopters to home broadband yields 73% of Americans with either home broadband or smartphone.

• But smartphones have:– Variable speed– Data caps

UPSHOT: COST OF DIGITAL EXCLUSION RISING

• Explosion of mobile connectivity & applications increase power of Internet

• Rising expectations:– Any problem can be solved with smart devices!

• Lack of connectivity exacerbates economic & cultural isolation

WHAT TO DO?

• Two options:

– Nothing

– Something

LEVERAGING BROADBAND ADOPTION INFRASTRUCTURE

• Coordination:– National Broadband Clearinghouse to share

information & best practice (NBP, rec. 9.13)– How to tether Lifeline reform to BTOP

• Assessment:– Focus on program outcomes, not execution– Develop “Big Social Data” for underserved

communities