States and NGOs must bridge senior broadband gap: AARP

"Nearly a third of older Americans (32%) lacked fully wired broadband access at home according to 2023 data, the AARP report pointed out, amounting to more than 19 million people. That figure was an improvement from 2018, when 22 million seniors lacked wireline broadband access."

"The AARP study didn't count 5G home internet or 5G mobile plans as broadband access, saying 5G services can be inconsistent and may impose data caps or surprise slowdowns. That can be a big problem for aging-in-place systems such as medical alerts, in-home monitoring devices, and smart-home technology for accessibility."

"Low income: Only 48% of seniors with incomes below $25,000 per year... Older: Only 61% of adults age 75 or older had wired broadband connections... Less educated: Only 53% percent of older adults with less than a high school education have wireline broadband at home, compared to 68% of adults who had finished high school."

The end of the Affordability Connectivity Program and Digital Equity Act changes have created significant broadband affordability challenges for vulnerable families. AARP research reveals 32% of older Americans lack fully wired broadband access, representing over 19 million people, though this represents improvement from 2018 when 22 million seniors lacked access. The study excludes 5G services due to inconsistency, data caps, and slowdowns that interfere with critical aging-in-place systems like medical alerts and smart-home accessibility. Disparities persist across income levels, age groups, and education levels, with only 48% of low-income seniors, 61% of those 75+, and 53% of those without high school education having wireline broadband access.

Read at Telecompetitor