An Evaluation of the Connected Nation Broadband Adoption Program

Abstract

Closing the digital divide and increasing broadband adoption within households and communities continue to be goals of government and nonprofit groups. While a large number of studies have examined policies and programs aimed at improving broadband infrastructure availability, little analysis to date has focused on evaluating efforts to increase adoption. One of the most well-known programs emphasizing adoption is Connected Nation, which has partnered with 14 states to provide local curricula aimed at raising residential internet connection rates. This analysis uses a generalized difference-in-difference methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of the Connected Nation program that took place in 5 states during 2012 and 2013. While the results indicate no significant initial impact, there is evidence of a linear effect resulting in increased adoption 2 to 4 years after the program began. This paper represents a rigorous evaluation of one of the most well-known adoption-oriented programs, and emphasizes that measurable impacts of such efforts may not accrue over the short term.