Govt Says: Internet Is Popular

michaeld writes "The U.S. Dept of Commerce reports that more than half of the nation is now online. In September 2001, 143 million Americans (54% of population) were using the Internet -- an increase of 26 million in thirteen months. 2 million more go online each month. Between August 2000 and September 2001, residential use of high-speed, broadband service doubled--from about 4 to 11 percent of all individuals, and from 11 to 20 percent of Internet users. ZDNet has commentary as does Reuters, while the government has the Full report."

Comments

Re:Taking it to the next level...

[Sodium Attack]

In addition, 46% of Americans do not yet have access to the internet.

No, 46% of Americans do not use the internet. The report is about usage, not access.

1. Making internet access available to those in the remaining 46% who cannot afford but wish to have access.

I'd wager that a large portion of the 46% do have access to the internet, if they want it--many public libraries now offer free internet access for their patrons. For those who don't currently have access even at their local public libraries, the public library is an ideal place to get them access.

Perhaps a large campaign to recycle used computers and 56k modems and then donate them along with free monthly access to poor people would be a good start.

Donating them to public libraries which currently don't offer internet access would probably be a more efficient use.