For Many in the Philadelphia Suburbs, Broadband Isn’t as Broad as It Should Be

By

Broadband access Philadelphia suburbs
Image via woodleywonderworks at Creative Commons.

Despite nearly full coverage of the region with broadband internet, the digital divide still represents a major problem. Nearly a quarter of the local population of Philadelphia’s “collar counties” are in a digital desert, according the Philadelphia Patch.

The digital divide highlights how differences in access to computers and broadband internet create barriers to opportunities both in education and employment. The Greater Philadelphia Region have broadband internet available throughout, but not every resident can access it.

Inhibitors include finances. A full-priced broadband package is simply not in the monthly budget for many households.

The FCC estimates that broadband availability in Delaware County is at 98 percent, but accessed by only 64 percent of residents.

In Chester County, availability is at 99 percent, but just 76 percent of the county’s population has broadband access.

Montgomery County is also 99 percent coverage. Only 76 percent of the population uses (and can pay for) it.

Bucks County, 99 percent covered, has the highest percentage of the population with broadband internet (77 percent).

Read more about the accessibility of broadband internet in the region in the Philadelphia Patch.

Join Our Community

Never miss a Delaware County story!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
DT Yes
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement