Abstract

The study examined the Internet awareness, accessibility and usage in communities in Osun state in order to reveal the extent which people in the rural areas were aware of the Internet, the quality of the Internet networks available to them and what they do with the technology. The research was anchored on Technology Determinism and Diffusion of Innovation Theories. The study adopted triangulation of Survey and Focus Group Discussion methods using questionnaire and FGD Guide in gathering data. 180 copies of questionnaire were administered to respondents from which 174 copies were analysed using frequency and percentage method with SPSS version 20 and Thematic Analysis for the FGD. Findings show that there is Internet presence in most of the communities, but the quality is still poor. Phones are the common means of browsing while MTN and Glo are the most Internet service providers used.

Key Words: Internet Awareness, Internet Accessibility, Internet Usage, Rural Communities, Osun State

Authors’ Bio

*    Victor Olusegun Babatunde is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria. He is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. He holds a B.A. (Honours) and M.Sc. degrees in Mass Communication. His research focus is on Development Communication, Broadcasting and Contemporary Issues in the Mass Media.

**  Saheed Olaitan Olayinka is an M.Sc. degree student in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Kwara State University, Malete;  HND & OND certificates in Mass Communication from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. His research interest is on broadcast media, new media and development communication. 

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, October 2019, pp.  47 - 57