Dial-up users “not interested in broadband” says study

A new study in the US shows that the majority of American dial-up users are not interested in broadband. The research, conducted by the Pew Institute, found that 62% of users with dial-up had no interest in switching to a faster connection. 35% said the price of broadband would have to fall before they would consider upgrading, while 19% said nothing would tempt them to switch. This could be because they are happy with their connection and see no need for higher speeds.

Lack of broadband availability is also a problem for internet users in the US, with 14% of dial-up users saying they stuck with the slower connection because they couldn’t get broadband in their area. Rural Americans had the most trouble getting faster Internet connections and most of them say they would get it if they could.

In contrast, BT estimates that 99% of UK households now have access to broadband, though connection is slow and unreliable in rural areas. Unsurprisingly, the poor and the elderly are least likely to have a connection. However, the survey found that attitude, rather than availability or affordability was a determining factor. A poorer person who was convinced of the importance of a faster connection was more likely to pay extra for broadband, than a wealthier person who had not been informed of the benefits.

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