Description

CIDATAPLN reports whether the respondent or any member of their household subscribed to the Internet using a cellular data plan for a smartphone or other mobile device.

User Note: The ACS 2016 introduced changes to the questions regarding computer use and Internet access. See the comparability section and questionnaire text for more information.

Comparability

In 2023, data for select PUMAs were suppressed due to a data collection error. A new code, 8, was added to note these suppressants. For more information, see the Census Bureau note on the Data Collection Error for Internet Service in Scranton, Pennsylvania".

In 2016, the ACS changed the options available to respondents regarding Internet access. Prior to 2016, seven options were available to respondents: 1) dial-up service, 2) DSL service, 3) cable modem service, 4) fiber-optic service, 5) mobile broadband plan for a computer or cell phone, 6) satellite Internet service, and 7) some other service. These options were collapsed to five in 2016: 1) cellular data plan for a smartphone or other mobile device, 2) broadband (high speed) Internet service such as cable, fiber optic, or DSL service installed in this household, 3) satellite Internet service, 4) dial-up service, and 5) some other service.

Data about computer and Internet use also has been collected sporadically from the Current Population Survey (CPS) since 1984. Both surveys exclude those living in group quarters. However, users should note CPS Computer and Internet data is not necessarily comparable to ACS data in several important ways. First, unlike the ACS, some CPS Computer and Internet questions are asked at the person level. In addition, the CPS questions and answer categories have changed multiple times over the years. Therefore, comparable data may not be available for certain questions for some years. Finally, some questions may appear to have similar wording between the ACS and CPS but may have a different question universe.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: ACS
• 2015: ACS
• 2014: ACS
• 2013: ACS
• 2012: --
• 2011: --
• 2010: --
• 2009: --
• 2008: --
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2004: --
• 2003: --
• 2002: --
• 2001: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1960: --
• 1950: --
• 1940: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --
• 1900: --
• 1880: --
• 1870: --
• 1860: --
• 1850: --

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: PRCS
• 2015: PRCS
• 2014: PRCS
• 2013: PRCS
• 2012: --
• 2011: --
• 2010: --
• 2009: --
• 2008: --
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.