County residents lagging in Internet use

Van Wert independent/Connect Ohio information

Van Wert County trails both neighboring counties and the state average when it comes to Internet access and computer usage.

The information was part of a new report released by Connect Ohio detailing technology adoption on a county-level basis for each of the state’s 88 counties. The new report follows the release of statewide technology adoption data at Connect Ohio’s second quarter 2011 Technology Association meeting in Columbus June 24. Statewide, home broadband adoption has increased to 66 percent from 2008, which is above the national average of 63 percent.

In Van Wert County, broadband adoption grew from 47 percent in 2008 to 61 percent in 2011, which is below the state average of 66 percent for 2011. However, the increase in broadband adoption was greater in the county than across the state.

County residents were also less likely to access the Internet (77 percent vs. 82 percent), or own a computer (75 percent vs. 80 percent). A total of 23 percent of county residents do not use the Internet.

Moreover, of Van Wert County residents who subscribe to broadband Internet services, 30 percent of those first subscribed more than seven years ago, while a whopping 52 percent have subscribed within the past three years — 21 percent of those within the last year.

“Every new user improves the economy and their own lives by embracing computing and high-speed Internet and we are very excited to see significant increases in adoption, above the national average, among Ohioans all across the state,” said Don Shirley, Connect Ohio executive director.

Since June 2008, Connect Ohio has provided mapping and research to identify broadband opportunities for Ohio’s citizens. Since its initial assessments, Connect Ohio has worked with both public and private partners to develop programs to increase broadband availability, adoption, and use.

The new county-level technology adoption data was gathered by Connect Ohio and Connected Nation, Connect Ohio’s parent organization, through a survey of Ohio adults. The detailed technology analysis explores adoption of computers and broadband use in households throughout the state.

Some key data from the research (click here for Van Wert County’s report) is as follows:

• 92 percent of Van Wert County residents are either satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their broadband service.
• The average monthly price paid for home broadband service in Allen County is $39.95, which is below the state average of $43.41.
• Among the 23 percent of Van Wert County residents who do not own a computer, 57 percent state the reason is that they do not see the need for a computer (state average 59 percent), while 29 percent say computers are too expensive (state average 26 percent) and another 29 percent say computers are too complicated (state average 13 percent).
• Among county residents who have no Internet service, 53 percent state the reason is because they don’t own a computer (state average 46 percent), while 44 percent say Internet service is too expensive (state average 22 percent). 18 percent have concerns about fraud or identity theft, triple the state average of 6 percent. Despite the concern over fraud and identity theft, 76 percent of county residents say they use the Internet to bank and/or pay bills (state average 61 percent).
• The two biggest reasons Van Wert County residents say they don’t have broadband is they either don’t own a computer (47 percent) or broadband service is too expensive (47 percent). The state average in those two areas is 35 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Ironically, the cost of broadband Internet service in the county averages $38.77, versus the state average of $43.41.

Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household.

For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio’s communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.