According to Anna M. Gomez, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), that even though 90%-95% of Americans live in locations with broadband access, only about 68% subscribe to the service but this issue is more disconcerting for Latinos because while the Internet subscribership rate for Latinos is up 5% points from last year, it’s still about 45%. With adjustments to income and education, Latinos are still way behind the national rate in broadband adoption. This is very critical, especially for those seeking opportunities in both education and employment.

However, there are programs being developed that will offer broadband expansion for not only the Latino communities but also those in rural areas, those with disabilities and other minorities. For more information, please go to the latest blog from the Commerce Department.

Related articles

• Brazil wants to expand broadband Internet access (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Broadband and the Latino Community: Let’s Keep the Momentum Going! (whitehouse.gov)
• Race and Ethnicity in Digital Technology (timesoftexas.com)
• The Cost Of Broadband In Every Rural Home (news.slashdot.org)