Can Smartphones Replace Home Internet?

[View in web browser]( [CNET logo]( Insider Apr 25, 2024 Phones vs. Home Internet The end of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program and upcoming price hikes mean that home internet is getting more expensive for many people. Mobile expert Lisa Eadicicco dives into [whether smartphones are a possible bandaid](. At first thought, it may seem like an easy yes. If you’re already paying for cellular data on your phone, that probably could fulfill many of the needs you would otherwise turn to a home internet provider for -- which is why 15% of Americans are already doing this. But phones aren’t a perfect replacement for home internet (Spotty service in rural areas or after natural disasters alone is a major shortcoming.) Read more below about how smartphones can -- and can't -- bridge the digital divide. Katelyn Chedraoui Writer, CNET [Can Smartphones Bridge the Digital Divide? The Answer Is Complicated]( [For some Americans, smartphones are the only source of internet they can afford. But advancements in wireless networks could hopefully change that.]( display: block; max-width: 116px; max-height: 15px; display: block; max-width: 69px; max-height: 15px; Insider Essentials [Best Evil Robot You Can Buy: Robosen's Megatron Transforms via Voice Commands]( [The iconic Transformers villain comes to life in a self-converting robot that turns into a tank. It's a killer product.]( [President Biden Signs Bill That Could Ban TikTok: What's Next]( [The bill is now law. Here's what's next for TikTok, its Chinese parent company and you.]( [Rabbit R1 Unboxing: What You Get in the Box for $199]( [The Rabbit R1 is a pocket-size computer that's almost like a phone, but isn't. Here's what you get with it.]( CNET Recommends [Grab This Impressive OLED Model While It's at an All-Time Low Price]( [Samsung's S95C OLED 4K TV is one of our favorite models on the market, and right now it's more affordable than ever.]( [CNET] You are receiving this email because you've signed up to receive newsletters and promotional content from [CNET.com](. To update your account, please visit our [Newsletter subscription center](. [Unsubscribe]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy Policy]( CNET 235 Second Street San Francisco, CA 94105 U.S.A. [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Tiktok]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Flipboard]( © 2024 CNET, a Red Ventures company. All rights reserved.