Home > Press Room > 2006 > Press Release

Press Release

LULAC Praises AT&T’s Commitment to Bring Video Competition to 5.5 Million Low-income Households.

May 10, 2006

Contact: Lizette Jenness Olmos
202-833-6130 ext. 14

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) commended AT&T and its Chairman and CEO, Edward Whitacre, for taking a leadership role in ensuring that low- income communities will benefit from AT&T’s new IP-enabled video services. 

In an announcement made yesterday, Whitacre affirmed the company’s intent to make its Project Lightspeed video services available – within three years – to more than 5.5 million low-income households as part of its initial build in 41 target markets. 

“AT&T’s commitment will ensure that low-income Latinos will be among the first in the nation to enjoy the benefits of competition that IP-TV will bring to the marketplace,” stated Hector M. Flores, LULAC National President. “This effort is sure to benefit Latino and other minority families who spend a large percentage of their disposable income on these types of entertainment services.” 

The action should put to rest allegations that AT&T would role out its Lightspeed TV service primarily in wealthy communities and that low-income communities would be last on the list.  “Our experience is that AT&T has been a responsible corporation that ensures its services are provided to customers regardless of their race or income status,” stated Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director. “This commitment reaffirms that AT&T is a leader in corporate diversity best practices.” 

Ensuring that all Americans have access to the most recent telecommunication technologies plays an integral part in achieving LULAC’s goals, as access to advanced telecommunications services clearly equates to increased educational and economic opportunities for the Latino community. 

As telecom issues are being debated in Congress, LULAC has urged providers to include non-discriminatory practices throughout their operations while not imposing disincentives to competition.   This laudable effort by AT&T underscores its commitment to provide access to all communities. All Americans have much to gain from the lower prices and technological advances that competition brings to consumers. 

The League of the United Latin American Citizen (www.lulac.org) advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

 ###