While the present study was a snapshot capturing the use of a community
network in 2001, the findings heralded the deepening digital divide in
broadband society. According to another recent report of Nielsen/Net-
Ratings, the broadband adoption rate goes higher as the level of household
income increases [44]. In fact, the Alliance for Public Technology and the
Benton Foundation pointed out that initiatives promoting broadband access
are most often inhibited by market failures such as high subscription
costs, lack of basic technology, and geographical barriers [45]. All the
evidence shows that previously underserved Americans continued to be
excluded from a digital society in which all of its members have access to
the latest technological development. While recent literature speculates
about the uncertain future of community networks [3], another level of
digital divide, in fact, indicates a possible niche for community networks—
that is, its ongoing commitment to equal access in a broadband world—
just as community networks have played important roles in advocating and
reducing the digital gap by providing access to underserved populations,
as the findings of the present study show.