The broadband digital divide and the nexus of race, competition, and quality

We examine the gap in broadband access to the Internet between minority groups and white households with geographically fine data on DSL subscription. In addition to income and demographics, we also examine quality of service and competition as components of the Digital Divide. The gaps in DSL deman...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Information economics and policy 2008-06, Vol.20 (2), p.150-167
Main Authors: Prieger, James E., Hu, Wei-Min
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blacks
Broadband
Broadband communication systems
Broadband demand
Broadband networks
Competition
Diffusion of innovations
Digital divide
Digital media
Digital subscriber line
DSL
Hispanic Americans
Hispanics
Information and communication technologies
Internet
Internet access
Minorities
Quality of service
Race
Redlining
Social conditions
Social inequality
Studies
Technology transfer
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Summary:We examine the gap in broadband access to the Internet between minority groups and white households with geographically fine data on DSL subscription. In addition to income and demographics, we also examine quality of service and competition as components of the Digital Divide. The gaps in DSL demand for blacks and Hispanics do not disappear when income, education, and other demographic variables are accounted for. However, lack of competition is an important driver of the Digital Divide for blacks. Service quality is an important determinant of demand, and ignoring it masks the true size of the DSL gap for Hispanics.
ISSN:0167-6245
1873-5975
DOI:10.1016/j.infoecopol.2008.01.001