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Measuring Broadband Progress: A Quality of Life Approach
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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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)
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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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 retrain 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.”
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Policy Narrative:
National Broadband Plans
Shifting an emphasis from building infrastructure to
promoting broadband use and anticipating
transformational benefits of broadband
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
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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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)
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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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
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Broadband Use and Quality of Life Model
General measures
Broadband
use
Individual and
situational
characteristics
Quality
of Life
Experiential measures
Satisfaction
from
broadband use
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Domain-specific
QOL
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Cross-Sectional Study of Computer and
Internet Use and Impacts on Quality of Life
Individual and situational
characteristics
Gender
Age
Education
Income
Experiential measures
Satisfaction
from
broadband use
Domain-specific
quality of life
Quality
of Life
Years of
computer
experience
Computer
use
(min. per day)
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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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
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Consequences of Computer and Internet Use
on Quality of Life
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Questions or Comments?
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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