The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a request for comment on their Computer and Internet Use Supplement for the 2017 Current Population Survey conducted by the Census Bureau. The annual supplement is a living document, designed to evolve and collect the most useful data for assessing technology use in the United States.
The NTIA has requested the 58 question proposed supplement be examined around the following topics:
(a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility.
(b) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information.
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
(d) Ways to minimize the burden on respondents of providing the requested information, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Questions range from broadband use to wearable device and other Internet of Things use. The survey also asks questions about broadband connection type (wired, wireless, etc.) and the types of companies used to get home Internet services.
To see how Utahns’ Internet use has compared to the rest of the U.S. in previous years (hint: the Beehive State excels as usual) take a look at the November Map of the Month.
Comments are due by March 10, 2017.
See the NTIA announcement here:
See the Computer and Internet Use Supplement draft here: