Drawing on 14 years of data, we examined whether access to broadband internet could improve Americans’ use of time and found that a 10% increase in broadband adoption across a community corresponds to a 1.19% reduction in waiting time.

Losing time waiting for goods and services is a reality millions of Americans face. Whether standing at a store checkout or sitting on hold over the phone, delays contribute to a chronic sense of not having enough time – a condition known as time poverty. This phenomenon affects most Americans and is linked to poorer health, lower community engagement and greater social inequality. It hits lower-income women hardest.

As scholars of public administration and public policy, we study how government use of technology can address social challenges while supporting vulnerable populations.

Our results suggest that living in counties with greater broadband adoption rates reduces waiting time. That’s usually because businesses,........

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