This Quello Center project investigated the degree that neighborhoods in Detroit are disconnected from the Internet—not online—and what could be done to increase digital equity and digital inclusion across three urban neighborhoods of the city. The team completed the basic research for Rocket Fiber at the end of 2017, and has turned towards the development of articles and posts based on the findings. Details about the project can be found in the final report and other documents detailed below.
The Broadband to the Neighborhood project utilized a mixed methodology to uncover barriers to home broadband adoption in Detroit. Working in collaboration with the Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies, the Quello project team conducted telephone surveys with residents across three Detroit neighborhoods. The surveys focused on current access and use levels, attitudes toward the Internet and technologies in general, social capital, and other factors related to Internet adoption and use. In addition, the project team conducted focus groups with residents and stakeholders, as well informal interviews with stakeholders who are invested in the revitalization of Detroit to get a better in-depth understanding of specific factors that prevent Detroit’s residents from using the Internet through home broadband access.
The team was comprised of researchers from the fields of political science, sociology, Internet studies, and information & communication sciences. The Quello project team is comprised by faculty of the Center and Department of Media and Information, including Bill Dutton, Laleah Fernandez, Keith Hampton, and Bianca Reisdorf.
Further Information about the Project includes:
– Final Report of the project: Broadband to the Neighborhoods
– Postcard Mailing: WSU_InternetSurvey_PC_CodyRouge2
– Survey Instrument: Broadband_to_the_Neighborhood-Final
– Focus Group Questions: Focus Group Script
– Blog on Myths of the Internet in Detroit: https://quello.msu.edu/myths-of-detroit-internet-use/
