Broadband Usage Grows Fast in Rural Areas

Broadband Usage Grows Fast in Rural Areas

According to ComScore, broadband services have continued to rise fast in rural areas. Rural markets recorde a 16 percent increase in broadband penetration since 2007. Rural areas are now considered the fastest growing geographic market segment in the US. 
 

"Across the country we have witnessed growth in broadband adoption driven by greater price competition and increased consumer demand, as bandwidth-intense activities like video streaming and peer-to-peer sharing continue to grow," ComScore VP Brian Jurutka said.

 

"With low-speed DSL priced at about the same level as dial-up in many areas, there is little incentive for households to remain on dial-up," he added.

 

Although rural areas have been getting a lot of broadband subscriptions, their broadband penetration is still lower than the national average of 89 percent. 

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service reported 63 percent of the entire rural households had at least one member accessing the web.  

 

"The consumer has many decisions to make regarding their home Internet service including the initial purchase decision, what price is justifiable and what connection speeds warrant an increased price," Jurutka further stated.