Worcester Has Expensive Internet, So Many Rely On Phones For Access: New Report

WORCESTER, MA — The type of internet connection you're using to read this article is a big factor in how you participate in society, democracy and the economy.

That's according to a new report published by the city exploring how Worcester residents use and access broadband internet

The report found that Worcester residents spend a larger share of their income to subscribe to Spectrum broadband than surrounding towns, and that almost 13 percent of residents rely exclusively on smartphones to access the internet — an inferior experience due to data caps that can prevent users from making video calls or streaming videos, the report said.

Worcester's median household income stands at about $63,011 per year, about $30,000 less than the state average, and communities like Auburn, Shrewsbury and Holden. That means residents in Worcester pay a larger share of their annual income compared to residents in those communities. The median household in Worcester would spend about 1 percent of its annual income on Spectrum's cheapest plan; but the median household in Holden would only spend 0.43 percent, according to the report.

Cell phones are often the cheapest pieces of hardware residents can afford to access the internet, the report found. Some phones that can access the internet can cost $200 or less, while even the cheapest tablets start at $300.

"Results show that respondents most commonly use cell phones to connect to the Internet, followed by laptop computers, tablets, and desktop computers. Although all income levels used cellphones at a high rate, the lowest-income respondents noted relying on cellphones at the highest rates," the report found.

The report also found strong ties between age, income and education and lacking access to broadband internet. Worcester residents over 65 who have less than a high school education and earn $10,000 to $19,999 annually are more likely to lack internet at home, the report found.

The report relied on input gathered from four workshops held between December and March, plus data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and interviews with community leaders. The city will use findings in the report to attempt to reduce the "digital divide" preventing residents from accessing fast internet. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute and the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Council helped create the report.

The report concludes with 10 recommendations for the city to help close the divide. The conclusions say the Worcester Public Library could be a key resource for residents who need help learning how to use the internet, and attaining a device. The library allows patrons to borrow devices like Wi-Fi hotspots and laptops.

"[T]oo many people still find themselves without adequate internet, devices, and digital literacy skills. They have been left behind because of the digital divide, the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not," the report said

Here's the full report: