Dial-up isn't dead: Why some consumers are opting for lower Internet speeds

A small but significant percentage of US adults are clinging to dial-up, even as broadband becomes ubiquitous and Internet files become increasingly data-heavy and complex.

Roughly 70 percent of US adults used broadband as of May, according to recently released figures from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. That's up from 66 percent in April 2012. Yet about 3 percent still are on dial-up connections, Pew said. Aaron Smith, the study's author, said he can only speculate about why some US adults have stayed with dial-up even as broadband has become faster and more affordable. During the recent US economic crisis, about a third of dial-up users told Pew that they regarded broadband as too pricey, and about 1 in 5 said nothing would get them off dial-up. Broadband availability was an issue, too. About 15 percent of surveyed dial-up users lacked it. "Some people just want e-mail and do not want to participate in the greater online experience," DeAnne Boegli, communications director TDS Communications said, "It's all about choice."