Dr. Bob posted on August 22, 2010 17:57
The Impact of Rural Broadband Development: Lessons from a Natural Field Experiment
Forthcoming in Government Information Quarterly
Robert LaRose, Ph.D. (corresponding author), Professor, Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media, 409 Communication Arts Building, Michigan State University 48824, 1-517-337-0130, larose@msu.edu
Sharon Strover, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Radio TV Film, University of Texas
Jennifer L. Gregg, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of Louisville
Joseph Straubhaar, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Radio TV Film, University of Texas
Revised, December 7, 2009
This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture CSREES Program, Grant Number 2004-35401-14985. The opinions expressed are those of the authors.
The Impact of Rural Broadband Development: Lessons from a Natural Field Experiment
Abstract
Significant public investments in rural broadband Internet service authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act raise anew questions about of the impacts of broadband on rural residents and rural communities. The results of a natural field experiment involving broadband Internet projects funded by the Community Connect program of the Rural Utilities Service are reviewed here to provide a context for future evaluations of the effects of broadband infrastructure deployment and efforts to stimulate sustainable broadband use in rural areas. Based on pre-post surveys conducted in four communities in 2005 and 2008, the implementation of broadband infrastructure grants increased broadband adoption, although penetration also increased where a grant was awarded but later terminated. Public education efforts in a community participating in the ConnectKentucky initiative had an incremental effect on broadband adoption by positively affecting residents’ perceptions of broadband service. Impacts on individual economic development activities and community satisfaction were not found. Implications for rural broadband initiatives and future evaluations of their effects are drawn.
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