DoC’s NTIA Releases 2 Digital Connectivity Reports

More Americans than ever have Internet access and own computers, but disparities remain in many areas, according to two new reports by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion, completed by NTIA staff, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities: An Assessment of Networking and Connectivity, which was conducted by the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, offer insights as well as outline work which still needs to be done to address the Digital Divide.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities: An Assessment of Networking and Connectivity contains findings from a technology needs assessment conducted for the Technology Opportunities Program at NTIA. The study was sparked by the NTIA’s series Falling Through the Net as well as a Yahoo report of America’s top 100 most-wired campuses. None of the HBCUs were included in that 1998 top 100 list. The resulting study assesses the computing resources, networking, and connectivity of HBCUs and other institutions that provide educational services to predominantly African-American students. The information collected provides a benchmark to use in measuring the degree to which the HBCUs are keeping pace with change.

Researchers found that while most of the colleges and universities studied had some type of campus network which provided access to the Internet and the World Wide Web, the computing and connectivity resources are concentrated mainly in administrative buildings and not evenly distributed to classrooms and dormitories. While all HBCUs do own significant computing resources, the facilities in which they are provided limit student access. Also discovered was a computer ownership gap among students at HBCUs (approximately 25%) as compared to students at non HBCUs (approximately 50%).

The study team concluded that HBCUs must dramatically increase their connectivity speed rates beyond the T-1 level if they are to compete in certain areas such as providing network technology supporting basic research, advanced research, e-commerce, imaging distance learning, and video applications. Additionally, half of the 80 HBCU's surveyed lack completed technology plans with strategies for updating those plans. This deficiency may impact future opportunities for HBCUs in taking advantage of funding, innovations, and increased competitiveness in the field of higher education.

Researchers were concerned about the general lack of strategies to upgrade and improve network systems as well as the lack of connectivity beyond the T-1 level. They suggest institutional mentoring and collaborative efforts between small and larger HBCUs to help achieve economies of scale from purchasing materials to online classes and training of faculty and staff.

To review the report, visit: http://www.digitaldivide.gov

Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion, fourth in the influential series of NTIA reports on the Digital Divide, is a comprehensive study measuring digital inclusion by looking at households and individuals that have a computer and an Internet connection. This year's report finds that there is rapid growth in accessing and utilizing these new technologies among most groups of Americans regardless of income, education, race or ethnicity, location, age, or gender. While the gap is narrowing in all of these areas, a digital divide still exists. Another survey will be undertaken in September, 2001.

The report presents Internet and computer access based on households, allowing for comparison by factors such as geography, income, race and household type. A new addition this year is the inclusion of data on high-speed Internet access.

As in the past, NTIA is measuring the digital divide by looking at the differences in the shares of each group that is digitally connected. Data is presented based on age, gender, and labor force status as well as how people use the Internet (e.g., job search, bill paying, and communication with family and friends).

Finally, the report examines the use of computers and the Internet among people with disabilities that adversely affect their ability to walk, to see, to hear, to use their hands and fingers, or to learn. The report indicates Internet access is about half as common among people with disabilities and that computer access is even more skewed. This may be reflective of the fact that on average, disabled people are older and less likely to be employed, and also have lower incomes than people without disabilities. All of these factors are associated with lower computer and internet use.

The complete report may be downloaded from one of three places: http://www.doc.gov, http://www.ntia.doc.gov; and through the Economics and Statistics Administration which assisted on the study, http://www.esa.doc.gov