Internet Access
In 2020, as Americans isolated at home, more than 1 in 5 people in Mississippi lacked a computer or broadband.
Lack of broadband internet by state, 2020
Percent of individuals without a computer, or without a broadband internet subscription
In 2020, as the nation suddenly shifted to widespread remote learning and work, the fact that more than 1 in 10 Americans lacked broadband greatly hampered many families’ ability to remain productive and connected. In 4 states, over 18% of the population lacked a broadband subscription or computer: Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, and West Virginia.
Broadband internet is particularly important for school-age children to support homework and education. A majority of eighth graders reported using the internet to do homework in 2018 but this was most common among suburban students (65%) and least common among rural students (44%)1 likely because of sparse broadband coverage in rural areas.2 The $14.2 billion federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which launched in early 2022 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will provide subsidies to low-income households for internet service and devices.3,4 The Infrastructure bill also includes $42.5 billion to bring high-speed internet to areas (primarily rural) that currently lack it.5
“As schools close due to the coronavirus, some U.S. students face a digital ‘homework gap.’” Auxier, Anderson. Pew Research Center. March, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/03/16/as-schools-close-due-to-the-coronavirus-some-u-s-students-face-a-digital-homework-gap/
“About a quarter of rural Americans say access to high-speed internet is a major problem.” Anderson. Pew Research Center. September, 2018. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/10/about-a-quarter-of-rural-americans-say-access-to-high-speed-internet-is-a-major-problem/
“FCC Seeks Comment on Modifying and Extending the Broadband Affordability Program”. Federal Communications Commission. November, 2021. https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-seeks-comment-modifying-and-extending-broadband-affordability-program
“Emergency Broadband Benefit”. Federal Communications Commission. December, 2021. https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
“High-Speed Internet Discount Program Becomes Permanent”. Waggoner, Dono. AARP. January, 2022. https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2021/fcc-subsidy-helps-broadband-internet-access.html