Rural Internet Access 2017 Survey. Underserved/Unserved Household Survey Results

Transcription

1 Rural Internet Access 2017 Survey Underserved/Unserved Household Survey Results

2 Rural Internet Access Survey 2017 Underserved/Unserved Household Survey Results Creation of Survey At its October 6, 2016 meeting, the Rural Internet Access Committee Members held a discussion noting their desire to complete a study to determine how many Wildwood residents still need improved internet service. The members noted a direct mail survey to the original 1,200 homes that were determined as unserved in 2008 would be the best way to obtain information. Over the next six (6) months, and at three (3) meetings, the Committee, with input from the public, discussed and revised survey questions and how best to obtain general demographic information that would be quantifiable and provide location specific details. Ultimately, the number of households polled was more than double the amount surveyed in 2008, since the Committee Members wished to ensure no gaps in service would remain in the City s rural area due to lack of notification. Survey Numbers Sent to 3,109 households 15.7% responded (488 households) 95% confidence level, with a 4% margin of error Survey Details The final survey included six (6) questions, as well as an area for respondents to provide general comments and their contact information. Each survey included a unique identifier, so results could be geo-located and provide detailed information on areas where service is acceptable and, conversely, where it is still poor. The survey was sent by direct mail to three thousand one hundred nine (3,109) households. Respondents were provided just over two (2) weeks (May 4, 2017 through May 23, 2017) to submit their completed surveys. Responses were received from four hundred eighty-eight (488) of the surveyed households, or fifteen point seven percent (15.7%). Based upon sample size, a ninety-five percent (95%) confidence level was achieved, with a four percent 1

3 (4%) margin of error. The questions, and the responses, included the following: 1. Do you have high-speed, no data limits, internet access at your home (circle all that apply)? a. Yes b. No c. I have access, but don t use the internet. d. I do not have access, but want it. 2. At your home, what provider are you currently using for internet access? a. AT&T DSL b. AT&T U-Verse c. Charter Communications d. Bays-ET e. Wisper ISP f. Satellite (Company) g. Cellular Wireless Card (Company) h. Dial-up i. Other j. Not Applicable, since none are available k. None, because I choose not to use the internet 3. Put a check in the appropriate column, next to each applicable online activity: Activity I can do I want to do, but can t I don t care if I ever do I don t know Netflix/Video Streaming Work from Home Use a VPN Home school VOIP Schoolwork at home Smart homes Surveillance- security Video-conferencing Audio books 4. What is the maximum amount you are willing to pay for high-speed internet access, if a better option became available (per month basis)? 2 a. Less than $20.00 b. $ $40.00 c. $ $60.00 d. $ $80.00 e. $ $ f. More than $ g. Other

4 5. Can you receive cellular phone service at your home? a. Yes b. No Provider (circle): AT&T Verizon Sprint T-Mobile Other 6. Does your current internet service meet your needs? a. Yes b. No If Not, why not: Additional Comments (Response to Question #6 can be placed here, if more space is needed): Additionally, respondents were asked to provide their Name, Address, and Telephone Number. Providing an address would allow the City to include them on updates regarding service. Survey Results The responses were tabulated and charts have been prepared for each to visually illustrate these results. Information on each question has been provided below: Question #1: Do you have access to high-speed, no data limits, internet access at your home? Just under half of the respondents said they do not have access to high-speed, no data limits internet. Of the 488 responses, 230 said they lacked adequate internet access. Of the 230 without access, only 5 respondents noted they do not use the internet, so they do not want service, regardless of its availability. The pie charts below reflect these responses: Q.#1 Do you have access to high-speed, no data limits, internet access at your home? 1% 47% 52% Yes No Q.#1 Do you have internet access, but don't use it or do you not have access, but want it? 1% 21% Have Access, but don t use internet Don't have access, but want it 78% The location of these responses has been mapped to identify where these shortfalls are located within the City. This map can be found on the next page: 3

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6 Question #1 Analysis: Based upon the level of confidence and margin of error associated with the survey, it can be determined that between 43% to 51% of households within the rural areas of Wildwood do not have access to high-speed, no data limits, internet. However, the challenge in evaluating information is trying to correlate which households are unserved versus those that are underserved. A fair number of the respondents did identify they have no data limits internet, with download speeds up to 15 Mb, but do not consider that high-speed, since it does not meet the generally-accepted guideline for broadband service to have a minimum download speed of 25 Mb. The number of unserved households in the City can be deduced to be decreased since 2008, but the quality of the service to underserved households is still lacking. Areas of unserved/underserved households remain throughout the entire rural areas of Wildwood. Question #2: At your home, what provider are you currently using for internet access? The largest provider of internet to households within the rural areas of the City is AT&T. AT&T DSL and U-Verse service accounts for 39% of all households. Bays-ET is the second largest provider, serving 17% of responding households. Two (2) of every ten (10) respondents accesses the internet via either satellite or a wireless cellular card. This twenty percent (20%) noted poor speeds, high cost, and significant service issues with their providers. Wisper ISP accounts for twenty-three (23) of the four hundred eighty-eight (488) respondents, or five percent (5%). The chart below outlines how rural households are receiving their internet service and the map on the next page identifies where these respondents are located: Q.#2 At your home, what provider are you currently using for internet access? AT&T DSL 10% 0% 11% 9% 3% 1% 17% 0% 18% 21% AT&T U-Verse Charter Bays-ET Wisper ISP Satellite Cellular Card 5% 5% Dial-Up Other Not Applicable Choose No Internet 5

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8 Question #2 Analysis: Based upon the level of confidence and margin of error associated with the survey, it can be determined that between 40% to 48% of households within the rural areas of Wildwood utilize internet service providers via some type of cable to the home (DSL, cable, etc.). The difficult task is determining which service AT&T is providing to their customers, since they now refer to DSL, which does not have broadband speeds, as U- Verse, which can have adequate speeds. Additionally, AT&T is phasing out its DSL service option and as households change ownership, new owners may be left with no wired options where they currently have a limited number. Of the respondents, between three percent (3%) to seven percent (7%), utilizing the margin of error, do not have any type of internet. This number indicates that statistically the number of households with no access to internet is at a maximum of two hundred eighteen (218). The number of unserved households in the City is lower than in These households are located sporadically throughout the rural areas. A variety of internet providers are serving these areas, and the City s wireless providers, especially Bays-ET, are making a difference in its defined service area. Question #3: This question provided a list of ten (10) activities and asked the respondent to choose from one (1) of the following answers for each activity. The choices included: I can do I want to do, but can t I don t care if I ever do I don t know A chart of each activity, and the corresponding responses, is listed below. Each chart has been analyzed individually: Question #3 Option 1 Netflix/Video Streaming: Q.#3 Option 1 - Netflix/Video Streaming 6% 6% 4% 41% 43% I can do I want to do, but I don't care if I ever do 7

9 Question #3 Option 1 Netflix/Video Streaming Analysis: Video streaming has become a popular activity, as demonstrated by 84% of respondents either completing activity, or wanting it, as a regular option associated with service. Question #3 Option 2 Work from Home: 8% 30% 3% Q.#3 Option 2 - Work from Home 7% 52% I can do I want to do, but Question #3 Option 2 Work from Home Analysis: Wildwood is primarily a residential community. With the increase in telecommuting, it is essential to many residents they have the ability to work from home. The responses to activity show more than half of respondents can work from home, while 30% cannot. More details would be needed regarding the 30% of the respondents who say they are unable to complete activity to determine the type of work they do and, subsequently, their needed speeds, bandwidths, etc. Question #3 Option 3 Use a VPN: Q.#3 Option 3 - Use a VPN 15% 27% I can do 28% 11% 19% I want to do, but 8 Question #3 Option 3 Use a VPN Analysis: A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, generally allows for people to work remotely, by connecting to a private network, i.e. a server at work, via their internet connection. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of respondents noted they

10 can use a VPN, while an additional nineteen percent (19%) noted they wish to complete activity, but cannot at time. This type of service option is likely an issue of users being underserved, in addition to those households who are unserved and indicated where a gap in level of service exists. These respondents were likely in the thirty percent (30%) of households, who also identified they wish to work from home, but cannot at time. Question #3 Option 4 Home School: Q.#3 Option 4 - Home School 15% 19% 12% 47% 7% I can do I want to do, but Question #3 Option 4 Home School Analysis: This activity is sought by a smaller percentage than other activities. Nineteen percent (19%) of respondents either already do activity, or would like to in the future. Question #3 Option 5 VOIP: Q.#3 Option 5 - VOIP 17% 16% I can do 32% 16% 19% I want to do, but Question #3 Option 5 VOIP Analysis: Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, allows individuals to use their computer to complete voice calls, facsimiles, SMS, and voice messaging, instead of a traditional telephone or fax machine. VOIP allows users to work remotely, while still being able to undertake traditional office functions. More than onethird (1/3) of the respondents are interested in activity. Nineteen percent (19%) of respondents would like to complete activity, but are unable to at time. 9

11 Question #3 Option 6 Schoolwork at Home: Q.#3 Option 6 - Schoolwork at Home 11% 25% 15% 33% 16% I can do I want to do, but Question #3 Option 6 Schoolwork at Home Analysis: Nearly half of the respondents listed activity as a service they believe is essential. With the evolution of technology, school districts, including Rockwood School District, are requiring students to do more work via the internet. This change makes internet a necessity for school-age children. Question #3 Option 7 Smart Homes: Q.#3 Option 7 - Smart Homes 24% 16% 12% 19% 29% I can do I want to do, but Question #3 Option 7 Smart Homes Analysis: The interconnectivity of items within a household, and the ability to control these items when away from home, is becoming increasingly popular. Today, nineteen percent (19%) of the respondents are already utilizing type of technology, while another twenty-nine percent (29%) would like to at time, but are unable. As more items become smart home enabled, the need for type of use over the internet will also increase. 10

12 Question #3 Option 8 Surveillance - Security: Q.#3 Option 8 - Surveillance/Security 24% 13% 10% 22% 31% I can do I want to do, but Question #3 Option 8 Surveillance Security Analysis: Similar to the smart home trend, the use of security cameras and the ability to monitor one s home when away, is on the rise. More than half of the survey respondents are, or want to, utilize type of technology. It is expected for these demands to increase as the number of products offering type of activity increase in the future. Question #3 Option 9 Video-conferencing: Q.#3 Option 9 - Video-conferencing I can do 16% 12% 20% I want to do, but 19% 33% Question #3 Option 9 Video-conferencing Analysis: One-third (1/3) of the survey respondents noted they would like to utilize their internet for video-conferencing, but are unable. Over fifty percent (50%) of respondents wish to complete, or are already completing, activity verifying its popularity. 11

13 Question #3 Option 10 Audio Books: Q.#3 Option 10 - Audio Books 18% 19% 12% 16% 35% I can do I want to do, but Question #3 Option 10 Audio Books Analysis: Listening to audio books is a popular activity, and is already achieved by thirty-five percent (35%) of the survey respondents. More than one-half (1/2) of the respondents are interested in activity. Question #4: What is the maximum amount you are willing to pay for high-speed internet access, if a better option became available (per month basis)? Q.#4 What is the maximum amount you are willing to pay for high-speed internet access, if a better option became available (per month basis)? 12% 10% 5% 5% 4% 18% Less than $20.00 $ $40.00 $ $60.00 $ $80.00 $ $ % 29% More than $ Other 12 Question #4 Analysis: The most commonly selected monthly rate respondents were willing to pay is somewhere between $40.01 and $ According to a 2015 article by CBS News, the national average of the monthly cost of broadband service is $47.00, so the responses are in-line with the national average. The median household income within Wildwood, according to the U. S. Census Bureau ( ), was $121,026. This amount is more than

14 double the national average (2012) of $51,371. Therefore, it is not surprising that thirty-nine percent (39%) of respondents were willing to pay more than $60.00 a month for internet service. Question #5: Can you receive cellular phone service at your home? Q.#5 Can you receive cellular phone service at your home? 8% 1% Yes 91% No Q.#5 Who is your provider of cellular phone service at home? AT&T CONSUMER CELLULAR CRICKET 21% 6% Republic Wireless (Wi-fi Cellular Hybrid) SPRINT 0% 1% 9% 59% TING T-Mobile 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% Total wireless TRACFONE US CELLULAR 1% VERIZON 13

15 Question #5 Analysis: The vast majority (91%) of households do have cellular service at their homes. The three (3) most common providers of service are: AT&T (59%); Verizon (20%); and Sprint (9%). The greatest concern is the eight percent (8%) of the population, who cannot access cellular service at their home. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of those respondents who cannot access cellular service also responded that they do not have highspeed, no data limits, internet access at home. This percentage equates to between one (1) to eight (8) percent of those living in Wildwood s rural areas. Question #6: Does your current internet service meet your needs? Q.#6 Does your current internet service meet your needs? 3% 66% 31% Yes No Question #6 Analysis: Two-thirds (2/3), or three hundred twenty-two (322) of the four hundred eighty-eight (488) responses, noted their internet service does not meet their current needs. So, even though two hundred fifty-two (252) respondents noted they have access to high-speed, no data limits, internet at home, nineteen percent (19%) of these households believe they are underserved. Demographics: The majority of survey respondents provided their name, address, and telephone number, so they will be able to be contacted in the event better service options become available for them. Additionally, of the four hundred eighty-eight (488) respondents, three hundred fiftyfour (354) provided their address, so they can receive updates regarding the City s efforts relating to rural internet access. Department staff has added a distribution list, via the City s website, to provide updates to those interested on meetings and other updates on topic. 14