WASHINGTON—Just as more consumers are dropping their land lines in favor of cell phone coverage, more people are ditching their home Internet service in favor of their smartphone.
A survey from the Pew Research Center found 80% of U.S. adults had Internet access this year, either through a smartphone or a home Internet connection, up from 78% two years ago. But the percentage of people who got Internet access via a cable or home phone provider fell from 70% in 2013 to 67% this year.
Meanwhile, the percentage of people relying on cellphones alone for Internet rose to 13% this year, up from 8% in 2013, the study revealed.
The dip in home Internet use could just be temporary, pointed out Network World, which cited that home Internet adoption flat-lined five years ago around the time of the recession and the period following the economic collapse of 2008.
But John Oldshue, founder of SaveOnPhone.com, points out a new reason for ditching the home service. “It's too expensive.”
Among those without home wired Internet, 33% say the biggest reason is the monthly cost is too high, while 10% say a computer is too expensive. Another 12% say they don't need it because a smartphone is sufficient, according to the Pew Study.