PR: NHMC Releases Report on Trends in Latino Mobile Phone Usage

Press Release:

The National Hispanic Media Coalition, NHMC, releases a report entitled “Trends in Latino Mobile Phone Usage: And What They Mean for U.S. Telecommunications Policy.” The report offers the most comprehensive compilation of up-to-date data on how the Latino community is using mobile phones. After comparing and contrasting findings from different sources, NHMC recommends a variety of policies to guarantee connectivity, affordability, and usability of mobile phones for all consumers.

The first-of-its-kind report offers a comprehensive analysis of emerging trends in the way the Latino community uses cell phones. The compilation of the data indicates three major tendencies: Latinos are less likely to adopt broadband at home than other ethnic groups; are three times more likely than the general population to rely on mobile phones as their only means of Internet access; and are footing a larger mobile phone bills than any other demographic group.

“This report is an invaluable resource for anybody seeking to explore the impact that telecommunications policy can have on the Latino community. While the data represents a snapshot in time, the trends are unmistakable. Egalitarian mobile policy is becoming increasingly important to safeguarding the communications experience of large portions of our nation,” states Jessica González, NHMC’s Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs.

Public Policy Recommendations

Based on the landscape of data compiled in the report, NHMC makes a number of policy recommendations to enable the Latino community to thrive as it embraces mobile technology, including:

* Reforming the Universal Service Fund

* Preserving competition in the wireless industry

* Preserving the open Internet over fixed and mobile services

* Protecting consumers from predatory business practices

“It is undeniable that mobile phones have increasingly become a necessity for so many Americans. The Latino community is no different and, in fact, has been shown to use these devices for a number of important purposes, such as finding and maintaining employment or engaging in our democracy. These uses make the policy issues highlighted in this report all the more important,” says Michael Scurato, NHMC’s Policy Counsel, who prepared the report.

Resources

The report, “Trends in Latino Mobile Phone Usage: And What They Mean for U.S. Telecommunications Policy” is available on line at: www.nhmc.org/mobilereport.

A recent NHMC statement urging the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, to adopt policies that remove barriers to participation in the Lifeline program, which subsidizes telephone services for low-income households.

About NHMC

The National Hispanic Media Coalition is a non-partisan, non-profit, media advocacy and civil rights organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Its mission is to educate and influence media corporations on the importance of including U.S. Latinos at all levels of employment, challenge media that carelessly exploit negative Latino stereotypes, and scrutinize and opine on media and telecommunications policy issues before the Federal Communications Commission and in Congress. Learn more at www.nhmc.org. Receive real-time updates on twitter @NHMC.

Please Forward Media Contacts to:

Rosalia Tenorio

Director of Communications

National Hispanic Media Coalition

O: (626) 792-6462

C: (213) 718-0732

rtenorio@nhmc.org

www.nhmc.org

Leave a Reply