NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th 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). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: August 13, 2009 Mark Wigfield 202-418-0253 Email: Mark.Wigfield@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 2009. The report also shows subscribership levels by state, income level, race, age, household size, and employment status. Statistical Summary In March 2009: § The telephone subscribership penetration rate in the U.S. was 95.6%, an increase of 0.4% over the rate from March 2008. This is the highest reported rate since the CPS began collecting this data in November 1983. § The telephone penetration rate for households in income categories below $15,000 was at or below 92.7%, while the rate for households in income categories over $40,000 was at least 97.9%. § Among the states, the penetration rates ranged from a low of 92.3% to a high of 98.7%. § Penetration rates ranged from 91.5% for households headed by a person under 25 to at least 96.5% for households headed by a person over 55. § Households with one person had a penetration rate of 93.4%, compared to a rate of 97.0% for households with four or five persons. § The penetration rate for unemployed adults was 94.9%, while the rate for employed adults was 96.6%. 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 Best Copy and Printing, Inc. at (202) 488-5300 to purchase a copy. This report can also be downloaded from the Wireline Competition Bureau Statistical Reports Internet site at http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats. -FCC- Wireline Competition Bureau contact: Alexander Belinfante at (202) 418-0944; TTY (202) 418- 0484. News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.