Coal to Broadband

Frankfort, KY— ConnectKentucky, in conjunction with the Breathitt, Estill, Lee, and Powell Regional Technology Authority (RTA), have completed a substantial technology assessment of the four county region.

The pilot study, which began in late March, focused on how people in the four Kentucky counties access and use the Internet. The survey is part of the “Coal to Broadband: Making the Transition, Making the Connection,” program, which is underway to help bring broadband service to Breathitt, Estill, Lee, and Powell counties.

 ConnectKentucky, serving as the technical advisor for the project, surveyed 504 adults living in the four counties in April and May.  Surveys were conducted through a variety of methods, including telephone interviews, in-person interviews, and an online survey.

 Key findings include: 

• Among survey respondents, 93 percent own a computer, but only 37 percent subscribe to home broadband service.  An even larger share (39 percent of respondents) subscribes to home dial-up service.  This means that more than one out of five households in the community do not subscribe to any home Internet service at all.
• The most popular locations for accessing the Internet are home (71 percent) and work (62 percent). Libraries (11 percent), a friend or family member’s home (4 percent), and schools (3 percent) are being used for Internet access at considerably lower rates.
• The highest rate of broadband adoption is in Estill County (53 percent), followed by Breathitt (36 percent), Powell (31 percent), and Lee (26 percent).
• Each of the four counties reported computer ownership rates between 90-94 percent. This shows that many individuals own a computer, but do not subscribe to broadband for some other reason. The most popular reason for not having home Internet access is a lack of broadband availability combined with a lack of interest in subscribing to dial-up (64 percent). The second most popular obstacle to adoption is the price of subscribing (20 percent).
• Individuals with higher incomes are only slightly more likely to own a computer. A more substantial indicator of computer ownership is the individual’s age, with 98 percent of respondents age 35-44 owning a computer, compared to 71 percent of respondents age 65 or older. While there is a large disparity in computer ownership, the survey showed little connection between age and broadband adoption. 
• The most popular online activities among survey respondents are information searches, communicating with friends and family, and business transactions.
• Region-wide, 98 percent of all respondents reported that either they or another member of their household used the Internet in the past 30 days.
• Additionally, 41 percent of respondents who access the Internet spend three hours or more online on an average day. This is further evidence that once people have access to the Internet, they will likely take advantage of that opportunity.

 “The survey results clearly express an interest and capacity by citizens of Breathitt, Estill, Lee & Powell counties to adopt broadband technology,” said René True, Executive Director of ConnectKentucky. “With over 90% of respondents indicating they already have a home computer and 64% without broadband service indicating the primary reason for not having service is that the service is not available, a demand exists for broadband service to expand in the four counties,” added True.

View the Survey Summary

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 Related Links:

 Press Release: Governor Beshear Announces Grant to Provide Broadband Access to Eastern Kentucky Region (11/03/09)

 Press Release: RFP Seeks Plans from All Types of Providers in Order to Bring Broadband Service to Breathitt, Estill, Lee and Powell Counties (03/08/10)

About ConnectKentucky: ConnectKentucky is leading the way into a new economy for Kentuckians. As an independent technology-based economic development organization, ConnectKentucky works to ensure that Kentucky remains the place of choice to live, work, and raise a family. ConnectKentucky is an alliance of technology-minded businesses, government entities, and universities working together to accelerate technology in the Commonwealth.

About Regional Technology Authority: The Regional Technology Authority is a four-county nonprofit consortium formed to foster broadband and technology availability and adoption to improve the economic conditions and quality of life in the counties of Breathitt, Estill, Lee, and Powell. The Authority is taking the lead to identify funding sources to facilitate the deployment and operation of a four-county broadband network.