The Household High-speed Dial-up Access Divide

The dominant reliance and importance attributed to home Internet access places this location as key component of advancing Canadian connectivity. As such, efforts to support greater inclusion of Canada’s most disadvantaged and at risk of marginalization must include a measure of support to facilitate home Internet usage so that these populations are able to access a substantively similar online experience as that enjoyed by a majority of Canadians.

Household Internet Access

Household Internet access has become increasingly mainstream, although the growth rate can be characterized as more incremental today than the explosive growth observed between 1998 and 2001 [Figure 9].

• 67 per cent of households report having home Internet access.
• Households who have had home access at some point, but currently do not account for almost one in ten households (7 per cent).
• 26 per cent of households have never had home Internet access.

Length of Time with Household Access

The rapid initial uptake of home access has resulted in many Canadians already being experienced home users [Figure 10].

• 52 per cent of households have had home access for at least two years, with 16 per cent having had access at least six years.
• Another 15 per cent are more recent home users, having obtained home access within the past two years.