According to the Leichtman Research Group, 83% of U.S. households get an Internet service at home today, compared to 82% in 2010 and 69% in 2006. Broadband accounts for 97% of households with Internet service at home, and 81% of all households get a broadband Internet service, an increase from 74% in 2010 and 42% in 2006.
Those who do not get an Internet service at home tend to be older (36% of ages 65+ are not online at home) and lower income (40% with annual household incomes of less than $30,000 are not online at home). Yet, possibly the most common characteristic of those not online at home is that 60% do not use a laptop or desktop computer at home.
Consistent with the profile of those not online at home, the most common reason for not getting an Internet service at home is a lack of need (cited by 50%). This reason far exceeds those who mention cost (17%), availability (8%), or access to the Internet on a smartphone (8%) as a reason not to subscribe to an Internet service at home.
The findings are based on a telephone survey of 1,208 households from throughout the United States and are part of a new LRG study, "Broadband Access & Services in the Home 2016." This is LRG's 14th annual study on the topic.
Other findings indicate:
- 86% of households use at least one laptop or desktop computer - 92% of this group get an Internet service at home.
- About 5% of all households have an iPad or tablet, but do not use a laptop or desktop computer, up from 1% in 2013.
- Overall, 66% get both an Internet service at home and on a smartphone, up from 42% in 2012.
- 6% overall access the Internet on a smartphone, but do not get an Internet service at home, compared to 2% in 2012.
- 41% with an Internet service at home watch online video daily, compared to 17% in 2011 and 5% in 2006.
- 90% with annual household incomes greater than $50,000 get broadband at home, compared to 71% with annual household incomes of less than $50,000.
"While higher-income households are most likely to subscribe to a broadband service, disparities in computer ownership and computer literacy remain at the root of the broadband divide in the U.S.," said Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst at LRG. "A lack of need is still the most common reason for not getting an Internet service at home, rather than cost or the ability to get the Internet on a smartphone."