According to the results of a study released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project major part of American consumers do not favor the idea of making affordable high-speed Internet access a government priority.

Pew conducted a survey which polled 2,252 adults nationwide over the phone and asked whether expanding affordable broadband access to everyone in the country should be a top priority for the federal government.

Whether it is due to anti-government sentiment, a shifting of priorities in a tough economic environment or the uncertain benefits of the Internet, 53% of those surveyed said that expansion should not be attempted by the government or it was not an important priority.

"A debate has arisen about the role of government in stepping in to ensure availability to high-speed Internet access for all Americans," said Aaron Smith, author of the Pew Internet Project's report.

"The majority think not, and the surprise is that non-users are the least inclined to think government has a role in the spread of broadband."

The Pew survey also found that:

• 26% say that expansion of affordable broadband access should not be attempted by government
• 27% said it was "not too important" a priority
• 30% said it was an important priority
• 11% said it should be a top priority

The survey revealed that adoption rates in the United States have dramatically slowed as 66% of Americans have a subscription compared with 63% in 2009.

While adoption rates among whites increased by two basis points from last year, the% of African-Americans accessing broadband increased to 56% from 46% in 2009, effectively narrowing the gap with whites, according to the survey.