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The Really Slow Download Squad: 62% of dialup users don't want high-speed
As you might guess from the name of our blog, we download a LOT of software, and it's a little scary to contemplate how much bandwidth we collectively use every day. So, trying to imagine a time when we felt like a dial-up connection would suit our needs is pretty difficult. But that's exactly how 62% of U.S. dialup users feel, according to a new study from the Pew Internet and American Life project. The economy isn't doing so hot these days, so you'd think that the additional cost of a high-speed connection would be the deciding factor for these folks, but it turns out that only a third of them cited cost as their reason for sticking with dial-up. 19% gave the mystifying answer that nothing -- not even a huge decrease in the cost -- would make them give up their dial-up. The study posited that they just don't spend enough time online to need it.
[via Slashdot]
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsEthanJul 4th 2008 1:24PM
I think some people don't like the idea of things downloading so fast that they might not be able to stop it. I'm thinking of users who generally think their computer is doing things spontaneously without them telling it to do so. Probably heard some scare story or associate it with pirates.
RichardJul 4th 2008 10:04AM
I think that a number of people who have dial-up still don't realise quite how much more time they would actually spend online if they had a reasonable connection speed. I seem to remember saying exactly the same thing "Why do I need broadband I don't spend anytime using it?". It turned out that the reason I didn't spend anytime using it was that it was unusable. Now I cannot imagine not having it.
chris josephJul 4th 2008 1:42PM
My usage patterns changed dramatically once I was subscribed to an "always on" high-speed connection. Perhaps those people who remain dialup restricted by choice know they'd turn into voracious net-beasts once enabled with broadband. I bet they live in shacks out in the sticks, just like Ted Kaczynski.
RocketboyJul 4th 2008 1:36PM
Is the economy doing bad?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/dire_news_from_my_colleagues.html
Anyways...
This is why I get irritated about the 'Digital Divide'. Many people don't want or need the internet. We still have free libraries, free TV, free Radio, etc.
Glenn TobeyJul 5th 2008 10:50AM
The reason I switched was because I paid 22.95 for MSN and DSL is 14.95 (3Mbps) FOR AS LONG AS I KEEP THE SERVICE
etatJul 5th 2008 4:50AM
Some people think that broadband is less secure, because it is 'always on'.
vancouverwashingtonSep 4th 2008 5:19PM
Don't have high-speed partly because of cost.
But I can also see myself more internet addicted than I already am. I may one day find a justification to sign-up and then God help the housework.