CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011  Measuring Broadband Progress: A Quality of Life Approach Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 1

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 What is Broadband?  High speed Internet that relies on advanced technologies such as DSL, cable modem, fiber optic, satellite, and wireless (FCC, 2009; NTIA, 2010) Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 2

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Personal Narrative: Anthony  “I am 54, am disabled due to diabetes, live in subsidized housing, and receive free Internet. I used my Internet connection to handle my social security application and follow up which was extensive. I use the Internet to re- train with the goal of employment that can accommodate the diabetic neuropathy in my feet, arms and legs. I use the Internet to reserve educational resources and entertainment (DVD, CDs) from the Seattle Public Library. I use the Internet to research information about my health condition and the medicines I am prescribed. I use the Internet to shop for bargains. My life is significantly enhanced due to access to the internet.” Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 3

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Policy Narrative: National Broadband Plans  Shifting an emphasis from building infrastructure to promoting broadband use and anticipating transformational benefits of broadband Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn Japan Japan should become a digital society in which digital technologies are universally accepted Focus on a citizen-driven digital society in three areas: e-government, healthcare, and education and human resources Sweden Focus on developing world-class broadband Highlight that high usage of IT and the Internet is important to growth, competitiveness, innovation, and the development of a sustainable society 4

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 State of Knowledge: Academic and Policy Literatures  Simple measures of Internet use:  Amount of time use (Kraut et al., 1998, 2002)  Frequency of use (Jackson et al., 2004; Kraut et al., 2002)  Extent of use (Kraut et al., 1998)  Type of activities (Howard et al., 2001; Wellman et al., 2001)  Broadband progress:  Infrastructure quality, availability, and affordability (Akamai, OECD)  Access (OECD)  Basic usage activities (Eurostat, Pew Internet)  Composite indexes (connectivity scorecard, networked readiness index, ICT development index) Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 5

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Quality of Life: Definition and Measurements  Quality of life, Happiness, Well-being, Subjective Well-being (Diener, 1984; Sirgy, 2002; Stiglitz et al., 2009)  Two related but separate aspects of a person’s life:  Life satisfaction: Overall evaluation about his or her life at a particular point in time  Hedonic experience: Feelings that include the presence of positive feelings/affect such as joy or the presence of negative feelings/affect such as sadness, depression or anger Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 6

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Broadband Use and Quality of Life Model Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn Individual and situational characteristics Broadband use Quality of Life Satisfaction from broadband use Domain-specific QOL General measures Experiential measures 7

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Cross-Sectional Study of Computer and Internet Use and Impacts on Quality of Life Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 8 Gender Quality of Life Satisfaction from broadband use Domain-specific quality of life Experiential measures Age Education Income Years of computer experience Computer use (min. per day) Individual and situational characteristics

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Patterns of Computer and Internet Use  Five key motivations:  Researching  Relationship building  Knowledge sharing  Leisure and entertainment  Self-actualization  Top five activities with highest satisfaction are from the work and education life domains  Many participants never engage in activities in the consumer, social, and finance life domains  Younger, higher educated users had statistically higher satisfaction from use  Individuals with lower income, individuals who use computer more have statistically higher satisfaction from use in some life domains Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 9

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011 Consequences of Computer and Internet Use on Quality of Life Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn 10

CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011  Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn Questions or Comments? 11