USA - NYC households without broadband

Broadband study: 600,000 NYers not connected

Only 26% of low income households use high speed Internet connection.

More than 600,000 households in New York City have yet to connect to the Internet at high speeds.

Only 26% of low income households in the five boroughs have broadband, compared with 54% of moderate to high income homes, according to a recent study conducted by Diamond Management & Technology Consultants. Diamond presented results of the study to the Broadband Advisory Committee, a private and public commission created three years ago by City Councilmember Gale Brewer to advise the Mayor’s office on Internet access issues across the city, Wednesday morning at City Hall.

The Chicago-based consultancy was commissioned by the city’s Economic Development Corp. to determine the breadth of the digital divide in New York City almost two years ago.

According to the study, 98% of the city’s residents have access to broadband provided by a cable provider, and 87% have access to high-speed Internet service via DSL provided by Verizon Communications Inc. It did not outline how many city residents connect to the Internet via lower-speed dial-up connections.

Households that do not have broadband cited the high cost of a computer and high cost of broadband service as the top reasons why they decided not to subscribe. Many are homes headed by the elderly, at least 65 years old. Specific neighborhoods where these households were located were not disclosed. In 2012, the study projected that the number of low income households without broadband will balloon to 64%, according to Diamond.

To eliminate the city’s divide, the study recommends that New York partner with telecom providers or non-profit groups to implement programs, which include offering low cost hardware and service as well as adequate computer training. Diamond also suggested that the city expand public areas such as public parks and libraries, where New Yorkers can access the Internet for free. The study did not provide estimates on the cost of launching these programs, but Mr. O’Brien noted that it will be in the millions.

“This is a good first step,” said Councilmember Brewer, adding that the Broadband Advisory Committee will meet soon to help facilitate the creation of these new programs.

During the briefing, Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber said the city is committed to addressing the digital divide issue and is enthusiastic about implementing a solution. The city said it expects to raise public and private capital to fund the new projects.