New Report Reveals Increases in Broadband Adoption and Usage Among Chicago's Smart Communities

Roxana Ryan
Published: February 7, 2013
Related to: Chicagoland eTeam

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, February 6, 2013 -- Residents in neighborhoods participating in Chicago’s Smart Communities program are using high-speed internet more frequently, but greater access to affordable broadband at home remains an issue for at-risk communities, according to new research released today on the Broadband Illinois website.

The “Measuring Change in Internet Use and Broadband Adoption: Comparing BTOP Smart Communities and Other Chicago Neighborhoods” study analyzes data from 2008 to 2011 to measure and compare change in internet access, use and online activities among neighborhoods participating in the Smart Communities program and other Chicago neighborhoods. Areas participating in Smart Communities saw a 15 percent higher increase than other Chicago neighborhoods during the span of the study.  

The City of Chicago’s Smart Communities program received federal stimulus funding to launch broadband training and digital literacy outreach programs in 9 low-income neighborhoods. The program partners with the Chicago Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and a number of community organizations to provide basic internet training, digital summer jobs, resources for small businesses and classes for neighborhood groups researching services and issues online.

Although internet adoption and usage in the Smart Communities have increased, there is still a need for broadband adoption at home. The 15 percent increase noted in the study was for residents who used high-speed internet at any location (community centers, libraries, schools) or on a smart phone. However, home broadband adoption rates did not differ when compared to other Chicago neighborhoods.

The study was conducted by Caroline Tolbert at the University of Iowa, Karen Mossberger at the University of Illinois Chicago and Chris Anderson at the University of Iowa. The research was supported by Broadband Illinois. It will be repeated in 2013 and include more information about trends over time.

To download full PDFs of “Measuring Change in Internet Use and Broadband Adoption: Comparing BTOP Smart Communities and Other Chicago Neighborhoods,” click below or visit www.broadbandillinois.org/Research/Internal-Research/Chicago-Broadband-Use.html. 

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