The announcement was part of Obama’s State of the Union address last month and calls for making “500 megahertz of wireless airwaves, or spectrum, available over the next decade to meet the growing demand for broadband services, including the widely popular Apple iPad and proliferation of smartphones,” according to this Reuters article.

The article also quotes Obama as saying, “This isn’t just about a faster Internet and fewer dropped calls. It’s about connecting every part of America to the digital age.”

A November 2010 report on home broadband Internet adoption in the United States used Census data to assess broadband access and usage. Findings included:

• 7 of 10 American households used the Internet in 2009.
• Income and education are strongly associated with broadband Internet use at home.
• Broadband Internet adoption was higher among white households than black or Hispanic households in 2009.
• Urban residents are more likely than rural ones to adopt broadband Internet access.
• Lack of need or interest, lack of affordability, lack of an adequate computer, and lack of availability were all stated as the main reason for not having home broadband Internet access.

So in reviewing these findings would you agree the government needs to make an investment in wider broadband access? Share your comments!

Yet, the lion’s share of businesses need – and have – Internet access. The report found 95 percent of U.S. businesses with five or more employees do have at least one broadband connection. Just more than half of businesses don’t know their connection speeds but are satisfied with their service.

If you were polled on your Internet, would you be satisfied? We all know good Internet access is as important to business these days as having a telephone so when the Internet goes down it can practically cripple your business. What would you change about your business Internet experience – faster speed, cheaper price or better customer service?

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The report also shows income, age and race play a role in broadband adoption. As you might predict, people with higher incomes tend to use broadband as do younger Americans. Blacks, Native Americans and Hispanics have much lower broadband usage compared to whites and Asians.

A few months ago, we addressed broadband usage and looked at some stats in South Carolina, where Spirit Telecom is headquartered.  About 60 percent of the state’s residents have computers and Internet access. While some of the remaining 40 percent certainly either don’t have access to broadband service or the means to afford it, another portion simply aren’t interested.

This holds true in the study: When those who don’t use broadband were asked why they don’t subscribe to the service, almost 40 percent cited lack of need.

Despite the fact there’s a segment of people who just don’t want or need broadband access, the U.S. government is pushing for more widespread access. The government, through an application process, is doling out $7.2 billion to expand broadband access under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The most recent round of grants – $3.2 billion – was handed out at the end of January. Applications for the final set of grant funding are due March 15.

What do you think: should the government pay to expand broadband services even though a portion of the population doesn’t really want it? Let’s hear your thoughts.

Because Spirit Telecom is based in South Carolina and provides service across the state, we’ll use the Palmetto State as an example. Some facts to consider from the  S.C. Telecommunications Association: South Carolina ranks fifth in available wireless broadband connections. And, when combined with wireline connections from telephone and cable, broadband connections are available to 98 percent of South Carolina households.

About 60 percent of state residents own a computer and access the Internet. Likely the biggest reason that number isn’t closer to 100 percent doesn’t have as much to do with broadband access as it does with education.

A national push is under way to expand broadband access to all Americans, thereby fostering economic development and bolstering the United States’ technological prowess. According to a report from the New America Foundation, the United States has fallen from first place to somewhere between 15^th and 21^st in the world in terms of broadband access, adoption, speeds and prices.

Most recently in South Carolina, the governor has appointed a five-person committee to review broadband grant applications from public and private groups vying for a $7.2 billion national pot of money available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Expanding broadband access to citizens across the country is certainly an important goal, but it’s equally important to remember the saying that “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” We can’t force people to buy computers and access the Internet. We have to go beyond the numbers and statistics and really look at why people – particularly the people who do have access to broadband  – don’t want it.

Post a comment and let us know what you think about expanding broadband accessibility.