FCC Says Telephone Penetration Rates On Upswing

Communications Today, April 26, 2002

The telephone penetration rates for U.S. low-income households grew to 87.6 percent in March 2001, compared with an overall nationwide penetration rate of 94.5 percent during the same period, according to a report released this week by the Federal Communications Commission.

Since 1985, when the commission established the Lifeline program to help low-income households afford telephone service, penetration rates among the lowest-income households (those under $10,000 annual income in 1984 dollars) have grown steadily form 80 percent to 87.6 percent, the commission said.

Penetration rates among low-income households in March 2001 ranged from a high of 97.6 percent in Maine to a low of 77.5 percent in Kansas. For more information on the FCC report, contact 202/863-2893.