External Data

The following data sources contain information and data on broadband use.

 

Current Population Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau is commissioned to collect U.S. behaviors about computer and internet use through Current Population Survey (CPS). NTIA has published the related reports, including “Exploring the Digital Nation” and “A Nation Online” series, to analyze this raw data from more than 53,000 households each year. Specifically, the reports emphasize the impact of demographic factors—that is, respondents’ use of computers or internet are related to demographic and social backgrounds—and the issue of digital inclusion. The links below are NTIA analysis reports on CPS data from 2000 to 2014.

2014 Exploring the Digital Nation: Embracing the Mobile Internet
2013 Exploring the Digital Nation: America’s Emerging Online Experience
2011 Exploring the Digital Nation - Computer and Internet Use at Home
2010 Exploring the Digital Nation: Home Broadband Internet Adoption in the United States
2008 Networked Nation: Broadband in America 2007
2004 A Nation Online: Entering the Broadband Age
2002 A Nation Online: Internet Use in America
2000 Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion

 

American Community Survey

Since 2013, the U.S. Census Bureau has been using three questionnaires about computer and internet uses in American Community Survey (ACS). These questionnaires are designed to understand respondents’ computer type (i.e. desktop or mobile devices), internet accessibility (i.e. with or without subscription), and internet type (i.e. Cable or DSL). Compared with CPS data which provides more historical context and mainly focuses on state-level data, ACS data is characterized by its strength to provide more details about geographic levels. The latest ACS data released online was for 2014.

American Community Survey Database

 

Pew Research Center

The Pew Research Center has provided diverse datasets online for academic research as well. Users can easily access to datasets after registering and submitting the agreement of dataset use. Compared with CPS and ACS data, the datasets provided by Pew comprehensively detail multiple information communication techology uses instead of focusing only on computer and internet uses. Related topics includ social network use, activities online and privacy and security online.

 

Pew Datasets

In addition to supporting multiple surveys, the Pew Research Center also publishes analysis reports online. Some reports are related to broadband and mobile use.  

Pew Research Center - Internet & Technology website

broadband data portal