Dr Schement has identified differences in diffusion between information goods and information services. Information goods, like radio, television and VCRs, diffuse very rapidly and whatever gaps exist are closed quickly. Information services, especially those that require the deployment of infrastructure, diffuse much more slowly. Ten years later, no gap existed. The reasoning behind these penetration rates are not hard to discern.
Information goods require just a one time purchase for which the household can save.
On the other hand, information services require the household to make monthly payments. The latest technology gap raising concerns is called the digital divide. Since the mid-90s, soaring Internet penetration has garnered headlines. But that has also been during a prolonged expansion of the US economy. And, in any case, poorer households will have a harder time maintaining service, just as they have had the most problems maintaining phone and cable service.