Diagnosing the Problem

Draft Research Findings from Chelsea, Everett, and Revere Digital Access Planning Process

Three Determining Factors of Digital Access

Connection

Adequate Device

Literacy

Fast​

Affordable​

Router​

Personal Computer /Laptop

Use of Technology​

Ensuring functioning equipment​

Evaluating quality of information and privacy risks​

Connection in Chelsea & Revere

Is it Fast?

40 – 50%
of households in Chelsea and Revere with internet access do not have "broadband" speeds​

This impacts reliability​

~6,104 (19%)
Chelsea / Revere households lack internet service.​

~40%
of survey respondents do not believe their internet service is affordable.

72%
of survey respondents have had to cancel or change their internet subscription because it is too expensive​

Speed Sources: MLab, Microsoft US Broadband Usage, Demographic Source:  US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019

Connection in Chelsea & Revere

How accessible are devices?

12%
of Chelsea & Revere households have no computing device at all

23%
of survey respondents disagree with "People in my household always have access to a computer if needed."

About 60%
of Chelsea / Revere households with internet lease a router from their service provider

At least 1,124
Chelsea School District families may be relying on T-mobile hotspots for internet service

Device Source, Computers: US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019.  Device Source, Routers:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21, Everett School District

Literacy in Chelsea & Revere

Using Technology

~75%
of survey respondents agree with "I feel confident in my ability to use a computer/laptop/Chromebook

~50%
of survey respondents agree with "I feel confident that I am able to resolve issues related to my internet connection"

Anecdotal information gleaned from stakeholder conversations indicates that there are serious concerns related to privacy, particularly among the immigrant population

Source:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21

Connection 

Is it Fast?

30 – 40%
of households in Everett with internet access do not have "broadband" speeds​

Speed Sources: MLab, Microsoft US Broadband Usage, Demographic Source:  US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019

"I live in a 40 unit mid-rise and am told by the internet provider that most of the issues are because the wiring in the building is old.  The provider says it's not their problem. We have interruptions all the time, no notice, residents just start calling each other to see if they have wi-fi. Could be down for hours. I work from home and it's a real issue for me."

Is it Reliable?

Connection in Everett

~2,565 (15.8%)
Everett households lack internet service.​

62%
of survey respondents do not believe their internet service is affordable.

64%
of survey respondents have had to cancel or change their internet subscription because it is too expensive​

Speed Sources: MLab, Microsoft US Broadband Usage, Demographic Source:  US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019

"Necesitamos que el costo del internet sea mas justo

-

We need the cost of the internet to be fairer"

Devices in Everett

How accessible are devices?

33%
of survey respondents disagree with "People in my household always have access to a computer if needed."

About 65%
of Everett households with internet lease a router from their service provider

Device Source, Computers: US Census ACS 5 Year, 2019.  Device Source, Routers:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21, Everett School District

"Our internet speed greatly improved after we bought our own router; the routers provided by our provider don't seem to be very good"

At least 326
Everett School District families may be relying on T-mobile hotspots for internet service

Digital Literacy in Everett

Using Technology

~82%
of survey respondents agree with "I feel confident in my ability to use a computer/laptop/Chromebook

~52%
of survey respondents agree with "I feel confident that I am able to resolve issues related to my internet connection"

Anecdotal information gleaned from stakeholder conversations indicates that there are serious concerns related to privacy, particularly among the immigrant population

Source:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21

Household size further complicates things

For 1-2 people, internet should be at least 25-50 Mbps

$10-$30 per month

For 3-4 people, internet should be at least 50-100 Mbps

$35-$50 per month

For 5+ people, internet should be at least 200-500 Mbps

$50-$70 per month

Source:  US Census ACS 2019 5 Year, AllConnect

Household size further complicates things

Households by size in Everett

For 1-2 people, internet should be at least 25-50 Mbps

$10-$30 per month

For 3-4 people, internet should be at least 50-100 Mbps

$35-$50 per month

For 5+ people, internet should be at least 200-500 Mbps

$50-$70 per month

Source:  US Census ACS 2019 5 Year, AllConnect

Internet Subsidies

~500,000
families in Massachusetts are eligible for Internet Essentials and the Emergency Broadband benefit fund

Comcast Internet Essentials Plan offers basic internet service for $10 / Month to income eligible households (SNAP, Free or Reduced Lunch, etc)

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program will subsidize $50 for all service plans - as of June 29th only 30,000 households in the program

Only 30,000
households have taken advantage of EBB since May 16 2021

Source:  Universal Services Administrative Co, National Center for Education Statistics, MAPC Digital Access Survey 6/29/2021

"سمعت بأن شركة كومكاست توفر انترنت مجاني لأصحاب الدخل المحدود .هل هذا صحيح؟

-

I heard that internet service companies provide free internet to people with limited income. Is this true?"

Internet Subsidies

~8,000
families in Chelsea and Revere are eligible for Internet Essentials and the Emergency Broadband benefit fund

Comcast Internet Essentials Plan offers basic internet service for $10 / Month to income eligible households (SNAP, Free or Reduced Lunch, etc)

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program will subsidize $50 for all Comcast service plans

Only 3,700
households take advantage of Internet Essentials -- less than half of all eligible

Why don't people take advantage?

Source:  Comcast, National Center for Education Statistics

Preference for local support

Survey question:

I would prefer to have a local resource that could support my technology needs, rather than relying on internet service providers.

~96%
Spanish Respondents, Yes

Source:  MAPC Survey - 5/26/21

~86%
English Respondents, Yes