Abstract
The Netherlands has experienced a high uptake of broadband Internet amongst its population. However, the question remains whether there are any differences between people with a broadband connection to people with a narrowband connection. The central research question in this chapter is therefore: how do Dutch internet users with a broadband connection differ from people with a narrowband connection in terms of demographics (age, gender, education), internet experience (experience, frequency, intensity of use), expectations (of narrowband users), experiences (of broadband users), annoyances, and patterns of internet usage? Secondly, this chapter addresses the question of whether and how these differences change over time. The chapter uses a model of technology adoption and use that is built upon different theories such as diffusion of innovations, uses and gratifications, and media choice theory. The results are based on two online questionnaires, in 2003 and 2004/2005 (N = 2404 and N = 1102) with regard to current Internet behaviour in the Netherlands. Results show that broadband users are heavier Internet users and that broadband technology is mostly a matter of comfort, not of complete new ways of using the Internet.