FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2015
CONTACT Brian Pacheco, NHMC bpacheco@www.nhmc.org 213-718-0732 (m) 626-792-6462 (o)
NHMC Applauds FCC’s Updated Definition of Broadband
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted Thursday to update its definition of broadband Internet access service for its annual Broadband Progress Report, which tracks deployment of important infrastructure in this country and evaluates its reasonable and timely access for all Americans. The FCC raised broadband benchmark speeds to 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads, a marked increase from 4 Mbps for downloads and 1 Mbps under the previous definition. Utilizing the new definition, the FCC found that broadband is not being deployed in a timely manner, and it identified vast digital divides between rural and urban communities, and especially stark disparities in Tribal lands. "55 million Americans - 17 percent of the population - lack access to advanced broadband,” the Commission observed. “Moreover, a significant digital divide remains between urban and rural America: Over half of all rural Americans lack access to 25 Mbps/3 Mbps service.” The FCC determined that the new speed benchmark is required to ensure that all Americans can access today’s and tomorrow's "advanced, high-quality voice, data, graphics and video offerings," which include telemedicine applications, distance learning opportunities, and next generation commerce. “The FCC’s action today is a much needed reflection of our aspirations as a country, and an embrace of the idea that we ought to study whether all Americans can access the connectivity that they need for the apps and services of tomorrow, not yesterday,” said Michael Scurato, policy director of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “By evaluating the industry at this higher standard, we will have a better sense whether or not communities across the country have the tools needed to participate in the economic, educational, and healthcare systems of the 21st century. We applaud the FCC for taking this important step in the right direction,” Scurato added.###
About NHMC
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos, and towards universal, affordable, and open access to communications. Learn more at www.nhmc.org. Receive real-time updates on Facebookand Twitter @NHMC.
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