Low Broadband Adoption Threatens to Separate Seniors from Critical Services

Des Moines, IA - Today, Connect Iowa is releasing a new report focusing on technology adoption and use by Iowa's senior citizens. The report, titled Iowa's Silent Generation: Resilient, More Experienced, but Disconnected, gives an in-depth look at the challenges Iowa seniors face in embracing the technology that can deeply impact their quality of life. Lack of broadband adoption is particularly alarming as a growing number of services and opportunities migrate online.

High-speed Internet is becoming increasingly important for access to government services, healthcare resources, and countless other personal tasks like banking, shopping, and communicating with family and friends. The issue of elderly technology adoption is especially important in Iowa because the state has the sixth largest share of residents over the age of 70 in the nation, but the senior broadband adoption rate is slightly below the national average.

The new Connect Iowa research shows:

• While nearly three out of four Iowans (72%) age 18-54 subscribe to home broadband service, only 63% of Iowans age 55-69 subscribe to broadband.

• A mere 27% of Iowans age 70 and older subscribe to broadband.

• Approximately 260,000 elderly Iowans (age 70 and older) are not benefiting from broadband.

• 47% of Iowans age 70+ (approximately 169,000) do not own a computer.

Iowa's elderly technology statistics grow even more troublesome when factors like disabilities, living alone, or living in rural areas are taken into consideration. The report also found a disturbing "gray gap" when looking at the number of seniors who make use of mobile broadband technology through devices like smart phones and digital tablets.

The new report sheds light on the many barriers seniors point to for not using broadband. Thirty-nine percent say they simply don't understand how broadband is relevant to their lives; 24% say digital literacy is their problem and they don't know how to use a computer or the Internet. However, of those Iowans over age 70 who do subscribe to home Internet service, 56% say they go online on a daily basis.

"Broadband offers Iowa's senior citizens new power and independence," says Connect Iowa Program Manager Amy Kuhlers. "With an interactive link to family and friends, as well as increased access to healthcare information and services, broadband is empowering them to live more independently while enabling them to engage more fully with society."

Connect Iowa is actively working to bridge the technology "gray gap" in Iowa to ensure all seniors have access to the life-enhancing and lifesaving applications and services made possible by a home broadband subscription. Increasing broadband usage among these Iowans now can help many Iowans live longer, healthier, more independent lives.

Anyone with an interest in bringing better broadband to local homes and businesses is encouraged to join in the Connect Iowa community planning effort. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Amy Kuhlers at akuhlers@connectiowa.org or 515-421-2561.

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About Connect Iowa: Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa to promote broadband access, adoption, and use. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Iowa. Connect Iowa was commissioned by the state to work with all broadband providers in Iowa to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and develop a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: www.connectiowa.org.

37% of Iowa residents still do not have broadband at home

Des Moines, IA - Today, Connect Iowa released new residential broadband adoption survey results revealing the top trends in technology use among key demographics in Iowa. The preliminary indicators from the survey are available online, which gives a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities for expanding broadband in targeted sectors. According to the survey, approximately 37% of the population still does not subscribe to broadband. Most notably, the majority of low-income, senior, disabled adult, and Hispanic 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.

"Improved broadband connectivity is vital in terms of spurring economic development," said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. "Better broadband access stimulates job creation, boosts productivity, improves educational resources for tomorrow's workforce, and ultimately enhances the state's economic standing in the international arena."

This survey is conducted in support of Connect Iowa's efforts to close the state's digital gap. The survey explores the main barriers to adoption - cost, digital skills, and relevance - and also provides unique insights into the national broadband landscape.

"These findings are key to helping us create custom local and regional broadband deployment plans," said Connect Iowa Program Manager Amy Kuhlers. "Connect Iowa's goal is quality broadband access, adoption, and use across all corners of the state."

The survey reveals that:

• 45% of Iowans living in rural areas do not subscribe to broadband service at home.
• When comparing to the 63% of all households that do subscribe, there remain large gaps among key demographics:
  • 62% of low-income households;
  • 66% of seniors are without broadband.
• 42% of low-income households with children are without access to this essential tool at home.
• The biggest gap is among low-income seniors. Only 26% of low-income seniors subscribe to broadband and only 41% have a computer at home.
• The largest barrier to non-adopters is relevance - 26% of non-adopters say there isn't Internet content worth viewing. The second most commonly cited barrier is that it is too expensive.
• The top reasons Iowans say they started using broadband is because they realized it was worth the cost or it became available.

These results and comparisons to many others are available on Connect Iowa's new consumer trends widget. This interactive tool gives people the ability to view, share, and download the results. Connect Iowa will use these survey results to target solutions in communities based on the demographic and economic barriers that the surveys indicate are most relevant to those communities.

This release comes on the heels of the FCC's newly released plans to launch a comprehensive public-private initiative called Connect to Compete, aimed at extending digital literacy training and providing employment assistance to communities. Connect Iowa's parent organization, Connected Nation, is one of the top strategic advisors in the national initiative.

Connect Iowa's 2011 residential survey was conducted in the summer of 2011 and includes responses from 3,600 residents. The survey was conducted as part of the State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant program, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and by the American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009.

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About Connect Iowa: Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa to promote broadband access, adoption, and use. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Iowa. Connect Iowa was commissioned by the state to work with all broadband providers in Iowa to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and develop a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: www.connectiowa.org.