Latinos ’ lack of knowledge barrier in use of VoIP technology

[Harold Schiffman]

Latinos’ lack of knowledge barrier in use of VoIP technology
Posted by Elena del Valle on April 13, 2009


Between 2005 and 2006 the number of Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) subscribers grew 189 percent from 1.9 million to 5.5 million,
proof of the increasing popularity of the Internet based
telecommunications option. Although making phone calls online can be a
cheap alternative to traditional phone company services, and many
Latinos are familiar with VoIP service providers and think the service
can offer lower telephone costs, most of the respondents of a recent
study have not embraced the technology because they are unfamiliar
with how it works or how it can benefit them.

A report by the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) at the University
of Southern California indicates for communication services, VoIP
adopters spend an average of 13 percent less per month than Internet
connectors who do not use VoIP. In addition, VoIP calling rates,
especially for international service, are significantly lower than the
fees charged by conventional phone service providers.

“Providers of VoIP services are successful in whetting Latinos’
appetites for new and cheaper telecommunication services; but to help
individuals and families make the leap and adopt these services, it is
going to take well orchestrated efforts to educate and familiarize
them with the technology. In this quest, it is critical to form
partnerships, especially at the local level, among public, private and
non-profit organizations,” said Matthew D. Matsaganis, Ph.D. who
authored the report.

As part of the study funded by Zero Divide, Social Impact of Voice
over Internet Protocol on Latinos, researchers examined Latino
awareness and perceptions of VoIP and Internet-based phone services;
Latino attitudes about and use of landline phones, cell phones,
computers and the Internet; and how much Latino VoIP users pay for
communication services compared to those Latinos who do not rely on
VoIP options.

The report is divided into four main parts that outline the VoIP
market, provide information about the benefits of VoIP technology and
the state of VoIP, as well as VoIP usage among Latinos and related
issues.The report presents implications and policy recommendations to
improve education, access, and research for Latinos using
Internet-based telephony.

“VoIP could help Latino immigrants connect with their homeland
families and friends at a relatively low cost,” said Harry Pachon,
Ph.D., president of TRPI and professor of Public Policy at the
University of Southern California. “However, lower rates of home
computer use by Latinos negatively impact the adoption of these less
costly VoIP services.”

Founded in 1985, the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) mission is
to advance informed policy on “key issues affecting Latino communities
through objective and timely research contributing to the betterment
of the nation.” TRPI is an affiliated research unit of the University
of Southern California School of Policy, Planning, and Development,
and is associated with the Institute for Social and Economic Research
and Policy at Columbia University.

http://www.hispanicmpr.com/2009/04/13/latinos-lack-of-knowledge-barrier-in-use-of-voip-technology/


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