Smartphones Are Sole Source Of Internet For 7% Of Americans

Though data caps can still be an issue for many, mobile Internet speeds are on the upswing and tethering options abound...even among many prepaid smartphone plans. Most people have a home Internet connection that meets most of their needs, however, leaving the smartphone as a supplement to be used while away from home. For 7-percent of Americans, however, that's not the case, with them relying entirely on their smartphone as their primary/only Internet connection. Not surprisingly, specific groups tend to rely primarily on their phones for Internet access, including young people.

The information comes from the Pew Research Center, which looked at Internet availability across the US and found that a relatively large number of people turn to smartphones to get it. 10-percent of Americans have a smartphone but no other broadband Internet connection at home. A larger percentage (15-percent) instead have limited options for getting on the Internet in any way aside from that smartphone.

A smaller number of Americans — a total of 7-percent — have both of those apply to them, meaning they neither have high-speed Internet at home or a way to access outside of the house aside from their smartphone. Young subscribers falling between 18 and 29 heavily represent part of this group, as well as non-white groups and low-income groups.

According to the report, the number of adults in America who own a smartphone has increased in general, as well. Back in 2011, only 35-percent of adults had a smartphone. As of this last survey, that number has increased to 64-percent, skewing toward the younger adult ages.

VIA: PC Magazine