The document summarizes the key findings of the 2012 Minnesota Internet Survey conducted by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. It found that while adoption rates of computers, internet, and broadband continue to increase in rural Minnesota, they still lag behind rates in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It also found that over a quarter of Minnesota households now use cell phones only. The use of social media, voice over internet protocol (VOIP), and streaming video has increased dramatically in recent years.
The remaining non-adopters can be characterized in three ways.Attitude“I don’t need Internet”“I wouldn’t know how to use it”Affordability“It’s too expensive”Alternatives“I can get it someplace else (for free)”MobilityPortable devices make it easy to access the Internet away from homeNature of access is changingChanging expectations on accessNo longer necessary to buy home access, at least for a fixed locationAffects providers, consumers, businesses, policy makersFewer rural consumers using Internet outside the home: fewer options?3g vs 4g cell phone serviceSpeedBandwidth is still a function of locationDemand for bandwidth is only going upToday: Streaming video services, online gamingTomorrow: Education, health care and business promise to be large users of bandwidthCommunities that cannot add capacity will fall behind as new technology goes from fantasy to reality