Researchers investigate how we are using broadband in our lives

Dr Jyoti Choudrie and Dr Susan Grey from the University's Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Research Institute are conducting a widespread, international survey to understand how people are using broadband technology in their lives.

The project, to 'Investigate Consumer Behaviour Towards Broadband Adoption in the Household', will reveal how many people are using broadband, how much people are paying and are prepared to pay for the technology and what they are using it for.

Reader of Information Systems, Dr Choudrie says: “There is a widespread belief that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as broadband are important for economic growth due to the versatility and convenience offered. However, before this reasoning can be confirmed, countries around the globe still need to understand how and why people are adopting broadband and this research will give us vital data to tell us this.

“With a new minister examining the digital divide Mr Paul Murphy (Minster for Digital Inclusion) and emphasising that almost 17 million citizens do not have access to computers at home or work, such research will also offer research into accessibility of computers and prompt more of the digital inclusion research that needs to be undertaken.”

Responses will build up a picture of demand for broadband, revealing whether people use the technology for work, entertainment, communication with friends and relatives or for other household tasks like paying bills. The research is part of a Microsoft, Citizens Online project with the University of Hertfordshire. The results will be published in September this year.

Dr Choudrie is a leading figure in the ICT field. She has been conducting international research, and investigating broadband usage in South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan since 2002. She is interested in E-Government and how citizens can engage with Government and receive Government products and services via broadband technology and the digital inclusion/excusrion aspects of E-Government- this latest project is part of this investigation.

The survey can be accessed and completed at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=dq8ewrW16pwqXFylricbgw_3d_3d