A new study commissioned by global Internet Exchange operator, DE-CIX, reveals a correlation between income levels and Internet reliability across the US. The survey, conducted by Censuswide and involving over 2,000 Americans, highlights a significant digital divide between wealthier and poorer states. The survey found that those experiencing Internet disruptions on a daily basis are twice as likely to live in the lowest-income states.
Also Read: DE-CIX Study Reveals Surge in Data Center Neutrality Across US Networks
Key Findings
Income-Based Disparity in Internet Reliability
Residents in states with average yearly incomes between USD 40,000 and USD 49,000 experience weekly Internet disruptions 48 percent more often than those in states with incomes between USD 60,000 and USD 69,000 (40 percent vs. 27 percent). The likelihood of daily disruptions is 130 percent higher in lower-income states (11.5 percent vs. 5.0 percent), the report said.
General Internet Disruption Statistics
On average, Americans face 53 Internet disruptions annually, with 82 percent experiencing some level of disruption. About 28 percent encounter interruptions weekly, the research revealed noting that unreliable Internet connections are a fact of life for many.
Younger adults (ages 18-24) are significantly more affected, with 50 percent experiencing weekly disruptions compared to just 17 percent of those aged 55 and older.
Also Read: DE-CIX Establishes New PoP at Digital Connexion’s Data Center in Chennai
"Our study highlights a critical issue for a significant proportion of Americans, particularly among Gen Z. This generation increasingly demands high-quality video streaming and uploading capabilities, which are essential for study, remote work, and personal entertainment. As digital natives, Gen Z’s expectations for robust Internet infrastructure are higher, and this trend is set to continue. Strengthening digital infrastructure is not just a priority for meeting the evolving digital needs of younger generations, but also for future workforce strategies," said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX.
Remote Work and Migration
The report says Reliable Internet is crucial for remote work, with over half (51 percent) of Americans valuing it highly. Nearly 70 percent of younger adults (18-24) are eager to relocate for remote work, contrasting with 20 percent of those aged 55 and above.
Also Read: DE-CIX Internet Exchanges Record 59 Exabytes of Global Data Traffic in 2023
The findings stress the need for targeted investments in Internet infrastructure, particularly in lower-income states and for younger populations, to address the growing digital divide.
