Drawing on 14 years of data, we examined whether access to broadband internet could improve Americans’ use of time and found that a 10% increase in broadband adoption across a community corresponds to a 1.19% reduction in waiting time.
Losing time waiting for goods and services is a reality millions of Americans face. Whether standing at a store checkout or sitting on hold over the phone, delays contribute to a chronic sense of not having enough time – a condition known as time poverty. This phenomenon affects most Americans and is linked to poorer health, lower community engagement and greater social inequality. It hits lower-income women hardest.
