November 4th, 2011 (Washington, DC) – The HTTP coalition applauds the House for bipartisan action in passage of legislation, which, if enacted into law, will protect consumers from hikes in state and local taxes on wireless services – a growing burden on the mobile services that provide an affordable means of communication and access to information for millions of families.
Jobs and Investment On the Line: AN UPDATE ON AT&T/T-Mobile
By: Jason A. Llorenz, Esq. and Enrique Cortez
October 25, 2011
A great deal has been said about the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) suit to block the AT&T/T-Mobile merger. Some speculate the deal is dead. In fact, there are two simultaneous processes unfolding – one, in which AT&T is defending against the DOJ suit in court (trial is scheduled for February 13th, and another track through negotiations in which AT&T will seek conditions on the transaction that may satisfy the DOJ and allow the transaction to proceed to FCC review. The nature of these legal processes — particularly the DOJ negotiations, means we will not know much about them as they ensue. Here is an update on the conversation, the stakes and what the ongoing uncertainty means for this transaction.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Latino Digital Opportunity
BY: JASON LLORENZ, ESQ.
In celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, we are reminded of the progress made, and the struggles ahead for America’s fastest-growing community. This month, we celebrate the accomplishments of Latinos in politics, business, and every American sphere. Latinos have progressed, and continue to grow in buying power, educational attainment and number. The work of ensuring Latino participation in all aspects of American life must also include ensuring full digital inclusion – the advancement of digitally literate communities who are online and ready to leverage digital tools across their lives.
Google, Motorola Deal: Mobile Innovation, Investment, and Opportunity
By: Jason Llorenz, Esq.
September 14, 2011
Google, the search engine leader is not slowing, even after it recently found itself under investigation by regulators seeking insight into its search practices. Google recently announced its aim to venture further beyond what it has accomplished in cyberspace with its $12.5 billion deal to buy Motorola’s cellphone business. The move has brought up a great many question as to how the deal will reshape the mobile world, Google’s culture and, from our perspective, Latinos and their use of mobile technology.
DOJ, AT&T and Latinos: What Now, and What’s Next?
Jason Llorenz, Esq. (twitter: @hispanicttp)
AT&T/T-Mobile and the California Regulatory Commission
– by Enrique Cortez,
August 16, 2011
As has been recently discussed on this site, the proposed plan to bring together AT&T and T-Mobile has been hailed by many within and outside the community as a unique occasion to strengthen Latinos’ ability to secure cutting-edge communications and mobile broadband technology. Now, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) is holding a series of public hearings to examine the $39 billion acquisition and its affect on consumers. For the Latino community in California, the facts are clear that the deal will be a great benefit to Latinos in the Golden State.
Reforming USF & ICC: Leading Telecoms Provide a Way Forward Towards Universal Broadband
by: Jason Llorenz, HTTP Executive Director
August 10, 2011
Recently, a group of the nation’s leading broadband providers submitted a proposal to the Federal Communications Commission to reform elements of the universal service fund (USF) and the inter-carrier compensation system (ICC) – two important programs that, respectively, today subsidize telephone service in rural areas, and establish the now-aged rules of the road for hand-off of long-distance calls. Most important for advocates of universal broadband access, the USF reform proposal call for those funds to be redirected to realizing our 21st Century goals for broadband access to all Americans, including rural and other high-cost areas. The coalition filed its recommendation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
HTTP Convenes Digital Empowerment Panel at NCLR’s 2011 Convention
BY: ENRIQUE CORTEZ
July 27, 2011
On July 26th, HTTP helped to convene a high-level group of leaders,moderated by HTTP ED, Jason Llorenz, for a panel discussion on the Internet’s impact on jobs and the Hispanic community during the National Council of La Raza’s 2011 Conference in Washington, DC. The NCLR Annual Conference represents the largest and most important gathering of the nation’s most influential individuals, organizations, institutions, and companies working with the Hispanic community.
PEW Smartphone Study: The Day Smartphones Took Over
By: Jason Llorenz, Executive Director
July 25, 2011
Today, everyone has a cell phone. More to the point, the mobile device has become essential for many people in their day-to-day lives. With continuous advancements in mobile technology, smartphones – which provide more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic ‘feature phone’ – are rising in popularity and use, especially for Latinos.
White House Spotlights Latinos, Importance of Broadband
By: Jason Llorenz, Executive Director
July 13, 2011
On July 11 and 12, the White House hosted a comprehensive two-day conference on issues of concern to the Hispanic community — including the importance of broadband expansion. The White House Hispanic Policy Conference brought community leaders from across the country together with a broad range of White House and Cabinet officials for an in-depth series of substantive conversations on the Administration’s efforts in the Hispanic community.