Dial-Up Internet Users Still Exist

In June 2000, when about half of adults were online, only 3% of American households had broadband access. However, as of December 2012, only 3% of Americans now connect to the Internet at home via a dial-up connection

Broadband access to the Internet at home has risen steadily since 2000, said Pew, and the “always on” connection typically increases the frequency with which people use the Internet and the variety of things they do online. Pew’s December 2012 survey showed that 65% of Americans now have broadband connections at home.

At 5%, Hispanics were found by Pew to be the most likely group to have dial-up Internet connections at home, compared with white Americans (3%) and African Americans (1%). The Pew survey found no statistically notable differences with regard to community type. Rural residents, city dwellers and suburbanites were all just as likely to use a dial-up connection.

Past surveys from Pew asked those with dial-up connections what would be required for such users to switch over to faster connections. As of 2009, many said (35%) that the price would have to fall, and 17% said it would have to become available where they live.