*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 13182.doc* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: November 30, 2001 Michael Balmoris 202- 418- 0253 Email: mbalmori@ fcc. gov FCC RELEASES NEW TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERSHIP REPORT Washington, D. C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released its latest report on telephone subscribership levels in the United States. The report presents subscribership statistics based on the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the Census Bureau in March 2001. Statistics from that survey estimated that 94.6% of all households in the United States had telephone service in March 2001. The report also shows subscribership levels by state, income level, race, age, household size, and employment status. Statistical Summary In March 2001: ƒ The telephone subscribership penetration rate in the U. S. was 94.6%, the same level as in March 2000. ƒ The telephone penetration rate was 79. 0% for households with annual incomes below $5,000, while the rate for households with incomes above $75,000 was 98.5%. ƒ By state, the penetration rates ranged from a low of 87.8% in Mississippi to a high of 98.2% in New Hampshire. ƒ Households headed by whites had a penetration rate of 95.3%, while those headed by blacks had a rate of 89.5% and those headed by Hispanics had a rate of 91.7%. ƒ By age, penetration rates ranged from 88.6% for households headed by a person under 25 to 96.4% for households headed by a person between 55 and 59. ƒ Households with one person had a penetration rate of 91.6%, compared to a rate of 96.2% for households with four or five persons. ƒ The penetration rate for unemployed adults was 91.9%, while the rate for employed adults was 95.9%. This report is updated three times a year and is available in the FCC's Reference Information Center, Courtyard Level, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. Call Qualex International at (202) 863- 2893 to purchase a copy. This report can also be downloaded [file name: SUBS0301.ZIP or SUBS0301.PDF] from the FCC- State Link Internet site at . -FCC-Common Carrier contact: Alexander Belinfante at (202) 418- 0944; TTY (202) 418- 0484. 1