The NTIA released a new report yesterday (developed by Northfield, Minnesota-based data and analytics company ID Insight!) that indicates that 40 percent of Americans do not have high-speed Internet access at home.

Ubiquity was a primary goal of the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force recommendations. All signs are pointing to it being a top priority for the US National Broadband Plan as well. So this is a shocking number. It’s worse for rural America. While 66 percent of urban households subscribed to broadband in October, that was true for only 54 percent of rural households, the survey found. Lack of access is cited as one issue.

However the survey also indicates (and this will not be surprising to regular readers), “households that do not have broadband, the survey found, 38 percent said they don’t need it or are not interested. Twenty-six percent said it is too expensive. Only 3.6 percent said they do not subscribe because it is not available where they live.”

Also as interesting as the research results – is the demonstration of the impact of the ID Insight’s broadband database, Broadband Scout. Here’s a little info on it:

BroadBand ScoutSM, the first national broadband connectivity and usage database, allows communities to meet broadband usage/availability data-reporting requirements, significantly cut NOFA 2 proposal prep time, and independently verify broadband data collected elsewhere.

Developed by Minnesota-based data and analytics company ID Insight, BroadBand Scout uses a unique analytical survey process of accessing the millions of records in ID Insight’s proprietary databases that were initially assembled to track Internet usage activity. By combining known Internet access information with address-related data, BroadBand Scout allows clients to see accurate, unbiased connectivity and usage at the most granular level. The data is also an effective way for broadband and wireless carriers to cost-effectively target new areas for service expansion and better research competitors. For more information, visit www.IDInsight.com/broadband.asp.