Mobile Future launched their new mobile Wireless Policy app for Andorid, iPhone and BlackBerry. Mobile Future claims it is the first mobile application to provide instant, real-time, on-the-go access to news, federal legislative and regulatory information on telecom and wireless issues with regular updates from the Federal Communications Commission.
While reviewing their website, we find some interesting facts about Hispanic Broadband Access. Hispanics who are avid mobile broadband users, rely more on cell phones, and download digital media more frequently.
Mobile Future Findings:
- While Hispanics trail other U.S. populations in overall Internet access, they are among the most avid users of mobile broadband. In fact, Hispanics and African Americans lead mobile broadband use (53% and 58% respectively), with both communities far ahead of Whites (33%).
- Hispanics are more mobile than the general U.S. population, relying on cell phones more. In fact, compared to Americans generally, Hispanics account for more minutes used and for a higher percentage of cell-phone ownership despite their relatively low incomes.
- Given that roughly 40% of U.S. Hispanics are born abroad, in countries where wireless service often is more common than landline phones, the American Hispanic community is more open to mobile broadband than many other population groups. This familiarity makes the leap to smartphones and other connected mobile devices a more intuitive step for many, as opposed to wired, home broadband adoption and computer usage.
- In 2008, Hispanics outpaced the general population in accessing and downloading digital media (music, video, audio, movies, television programs, video games and podcasts), 42% to 35%.
Broadband access is closely aligned with economic opportunities and a wide array of social benefits--from health care to public safety to education to government services. Thus, it is critical that Hispanics have a seat at the table in the development of a national broadband strategy. Broadband service--and particularly wireless broadband--affords Hispanics greater access to the diversity of benefits that modern connectivity brings into our lives. A few examples:
- Education: Parents are able to keep in close contact with their children's teachers regarding assignments, behavior and academic progress while on the go thanks to texting, email and mobile connectivity.
- Health Care: Hispanics are more likely than other population groups to suffer from diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Personalized and immediate care, medication reminders and other timely interventions on their mobile devices can enhance their health while also reducing the costs of their medical care.
- Economy: Expanded mobile banking options could greatly boost Hispanic economic opportunities, making core banking services more accessible to Hispanics, who are among the most entrepreneurial and mobile Americans.
Hispanic consumers are helping to lead the way for wireless broadband use. As we look to strategies to boost both infrastructure deployment and investment as well as consumer broadband adoption, we must not forget the pivotal role that wireless broadband infrastructure, innovation, services and applications play for millions of Americans.
They believe that new policies need to reflect and encourage increasing demand for mobile broadband access. More coherent and consumer-friendly tax policies are needed to help ensure that low-income Hispanics can continue to afford wireless broadband services. Lifeline/Link-up programs should continue to offer discounts to qualified low-income wireless customers.
They should look into more services that can benefit the Hispanic population. Aside from that, more affordable prices must be available for them in order to keep them.