Executive Summary

Tennessee's Technology Trends is a two-part assessment that tracks the use and impact of computers, the Internet and broadband technology among Tennessee residents and businesses. The survey was first conducted in July 2007, six months later in January 2008, and again in July 2008, with the results revealing an impressive increase in broadband adoption – especially in the rural areas of Tennessee where Connected Tennessee is focusing the majority of its attention.

Residential Survey

• Home broadband use in Tennessee increased by 14% over the past year, compared to an estimated 12% national growth.
• The greatest gains were seen in rural areas, which realized a 30%
  increase in broadband adoption in the past year. The rural areas are the areas in which Connected Tennessee is most heavily engaged.
  
  

Business Survey

• Broadband use among Tennessee businesses has increased to 60%, which equals a 9% rate of growth. This suggests that businesses using dial-up are switching to broadband.
• Businesses in Tennessee’s urban and rural areas saw the largest jump in broadband use over the past year, with a 12% gain in rural counties and a 16% gain in urban counties.
• Tennessee businesses with broadband report median annual revenues that are three times more than those of businesses that rely on dial-up service.
  

 

Tennessee's Technology Trends involved more than 1,000 Tennesseans and 800 businesses representing each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.