FCC's Clyburn Addresses LULAC Conference

Speaking at the legislative conference of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Federal Communications Commission member Mignon Clyburn addressed broadband adoption and media diversity.

As a direct result of the Comcast-NBCU license transfer proceeding, Comcast will launch the Broadband Opportunities Program, or "CBOP," to will make available to approximately 2.5 million low income households, an array of digital-literacy education opportunities that could substantially increase broadband adoption in low-income homes throughout their service area. Current broadband adoption rates in households with annual incomes below $20,000 are approximately 40 percent. Under CBOP, families that have at least one child in the household eligible for a free lunch under the National School Lunch Program may be eligible to:

1. Receive the Economy version of Comcast's High-Speed Internet Service for $9.95 a month - a rate that will stay in place so long as the household remains eligible;
2. Pay no installation or modem charges or fees;
3. Receive one unit of pre-configured, quality computer equipment (which may include rebuilt PCs, netbooks, or other devices) for less than $150; and
4. Receive access to web-based, print, and classroom-based training programs.

Commissioner Clyburn suggested two ways LULAC and others can make sure that deserving communities realize the maximum benefit from this product:
As the 2011-2012 school year approaches, we can all join the coordinated effort to ensure that all eligible families are aware of the program. With 880 LULAC councils nationwide, you are the key in making sure that the communities you serve are fully aware of this program.

Communicating with the other partners - government, schools and not for profits - with whom you work, will ensure that families are aware of the program and its launch in September. This program only has a three year window, so every year, every day, counts.

On media ownership she said, "The plain, hard truth is this: If we, as members of communities that have been traditionally underrepresented ownership and programming-wise, fail to wholeheartedly engage and support these emerging opportunities and the efforts of these owners, broadcasters and programmers; if we endorse in public, but neglect in private to watch these stations; if we do not patronize their advertisers, and refuse to fill out the ratings diaries when asked, then my friends, these very stations that negotiated so hard to get, will indeed fail, and very soon, we find ourselves quoting the same if not more troubling statistics, and lamenting over the same hardships."