In our connected world, reliable internet access is more than a convenience — it’s a necessity that underpins daily life, work, and education. But according to a recent study, income disparity and other demographic factors strongly influence internet reliability throughout the United States.

The study, commissioned by DE-CIX, revealed a stark correlation between income level and the frequency of internet disruptions. For example, people with incomes of $40,000 – $49,000 annually are significantly more likely (40%) to experience at least weekly service disruptions compared to those with incomes from $60,000 – $69,000 (27%). Users with lower incomes are more than twice as likely to experience daily disruptions (11.5% vs. 5.0%).

The research shows that internet reliability issues also affect younger people more than older people. 50% of people ages 18-24 face internet disruptions at least once a week, compared to 17% of people ages 55 and older.

“Our study highlights a critical issue for a significant proportion of Americans, particularly among Gen Z,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX.

“This generation increasingly demands high-quality video streaming and uploading capabilities, which are essential for study, remote work, and personal entertainment. As digital natives, Gen Z’s expectations for robust internet infrastructure are higher, and this trend is set to continue. Strengthening digital infrastructure is not just a priority for meeting the evolving digital needs of younger generations, but also for future workforce strategies.”

The study also underscores the critical role of reliable broadband for the post-COVID workforce. More than half of the study’s respondents (51%) consider remote work essential — a number that rises to almost 70% among younger adults.

“Reliable broadband internet access should not be a luxury,” said Hunter Newby, owner of Newby Ventures and cofounder of Connected Nation IXP.

“This survey highlights once again that there is a clear and present need for robust internet infrastructure investment to foster innovation, shape the modern workplace, and support America’s future workforce to strive and succeed.”

For more insights on the disparities in broadband reliability highlighted by the DE-CIX study, explore the full results here.