An ISP is the consumer’s “on-ramp” to the Internet, and once connected to  the ISP, the consumer actually becomes part of the Internet. FCC also  found that for the majority of Americans who live in rural areas, lowest- cost access to advanced services was not readily available, and that some  rural areas still lacked basic access to the Internet through a local  telephone call. Over time, this suggests  that the digital divide may narrow. Internet Users Were More Likely to Be White, Well- Educated, and Have a Higher-Than-Average Household Income

One of the most important statistical findings of our survey was that  Internet users tended to have a higher household income and more  education than the general U.S. population. Surveys from just a few years ago, however, showed women  lagging behind men in Internet usage. This point is illustrated by reports from two financial services firms,  showing that as recently as 1998 only about 2 percent of Internet users  subscribed to a broadband service. Do not include in your amount the purchase of a computer.
Why GAO Did This Study

Americans' use of the Internet has grown dramatically during the last few years. Nationally, more than half of all households have a computer and more than 80 percent of those households have access to the Internet. Yet, during the last few years, even as Internet usage has continued to expand, concerns have arisen about whether access to the Internet and other advanced telecommunications services is limited for Americans in lower socioeconomic classes or who live in rural areas.

What GAO Found

GAO found that Internet users are more likely to be white and well-educated and have higher-than-average household incomes. There is no noticeable difference between the genders when it comes to Internet usage. GAO also found that the availability of some services is limited by location. Some of this information points to the existence of the "digital divide," but the evidence is not clear. It is important, however, to ensure that the differences in Internet availability do not adversely affect existing societal divisions.