BY: Jason Llorenz, Esq.
The failure of the so-called Congressional “super committee” had left an important piece of the telecommunications policy agenda in limbo. The initiation of spectrum reallocation to address the looming spectrum crunch was reverted back to the Congressional committees with jurisdiction.
– by Jason Llorenz, Esq.
December 2, 2011
Following this week’s release of the FCC’s controversial internal report critical of the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, much of the back-and-forth has focused on the details—how many jobs would be created, what percentage of the population would get access to LTE, how much spectrum is really available, etc.
Obviously these are important questions—and there’s clearly merit to criticisms that the FCC cherry-picked facts to support its views—but what’s received less attention is what the entire process may have revealed about the FCC.
BY: JASON A. LLORENZ, ESQ.
This week, I will be leading a panel in Chicago for LATISM – an online community of Latinos in Social Media, as a part of their annual conference. LATISM is made up of thousands of Latino social media participants — bloggers, tweeters, and online conversants who use social media to build community online under the hashtag, #LATISM. The talk will explore the Latino digital divide – an opportunity to engage a group of the community’s digital elite in HTTP’s work of evangelizing digital literacy and supporting policies focused on closing the digital divide.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.