While the President touched on a number of important goals for America, lets like to take a moment to highlight his comments to technology and innovation. , HTTP members have long held that, while technological advancements are important in their own right, achieving key milestones in broadband adoption, wireless connectivity and technological innovation are imperative to facilitating progress toward our nation’s larger economic and social policy goals.

Technology, particularly broadband technology, is a platform for participation that enables communities and leaders throughout our country, and across borders, throughout the world, to work together on solutions to challenges in healthcare, education, civic engagement and economic opportunity.  From telemedicine and remote health monitoring to distance learning and online classes, to worker retraining and online employment resources, broadband technology connects individuals and communities to valuable resources.

And, while many in our nation have been able to access the numerous life-changing benefits that broadband provides, there are still countless others that remain unconnected to this critical technology. According to research done by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, currently only 64 percent of Hispanic Americans (both English- and Spanish-speaking) use the Internet.  Of that 64 percent, only 47 percent have home broadband access.  However, it is important to also note that Hispanic Americans are leading their peers in the usage of mobile broadband. In fact, 62 percent of Hispanic Americans (both English- and Spanish-speaking) are using mobile devices to connect to the Internet wirelessly.

As President Obama touched on during his State of the Union address,

“…this isn’t about faster Internet or fewer dropped calls.  It’s about connecting every part of America to the digital age.  It’s about a rural community in Iowa or Alabama where farmers and small business owners will be able to sell their products all over the world.  It’s about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building onto a handheld device; a student who can take classes with a digital textbook; or a patient who can have face-to-face video chats with her doctor.”

HTTP members will reaffirm support for, and commitment to President Obama, his Administration and our congressional leaders as they work to achieve the ambitious but realistic goal of deploying high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of Americans.  HTTP recognizes it will require the dedication and cooperation of both private and public stakeholders as we work to free up more spectrum, increase adoption and digital literacy and continue next-generation network deployment.  We are optimistic about this aspiration and look forward to building upon the long-standing tradition of American exceptionalism in technology and innovation as we rise to meet these challenges and capture these opportunities in the coming year and years to come.

The Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) recognizes and appreciates the FCC’s efforts to develop its proposed Network Neutrality regulations. HTTP and its members are pleased that our concerns have been considered in the further development of the Commission’s regulations.

Many concerns and questions are to be answered in the details of the order – which has yet to be released – particularly regarding the effects of new rules on the growing Hispanic community and other underserved communities that have been on the wrong side of the digital divide for so many years.

“We are hopeful that HTTP and the Hispanic organizations which are HTTP’s members will – with the release of the new regulations – be able to review the order in more detail and thereafter get on to the business of working with the Commission on expanding access, increasing affordability, and maximizing the potential of broadband Internet service. We stand ready to work with our members, the Commission, and the new Congress in the coming months to accomplish the yet to be realized goal of ensuring access to broadband service for all Americans,” said Jason Llorenz, Esq., HTTP Executive Director.

“The product of this work is an Order that is seemingly grounded on conciliation,” said Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This is an issue with many different viewpoints and we commend the Chairman for crafting a solution with the input of key stakeholders. We are optimistic that these efforts will help underserved communities and emerging small and Hispanic-owned businesses benefit from broadband technology.”

“We look forward to fully understanding how the new rules and the details of the FCC’s order will impact efforts to connect more Latinos to broadband technology, including life-saving telemedicine applications,” said Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, President of the Hispanic Federation and Chair, NHLA. “Making these services more accessible to underserved communities is our joint goal, and the way in which any rules will be judged.”

“HTTP’s members look forward to carefully reviewing the forthcoming Order in the days and weeks to come, and continuing to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the deployment and adoption of affordable broadband and closing the digital divide remain key priorities,” said Gus West, Co-Chair, HTTP.

ABOUT HTTP: The Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) is a coalition of national Hispanic organizations working to increase awareness of the impact of technology and telecommunications policy on the U.S. Hispanic community. For additional information, visit http://www.httponline.org/.

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Press contact:

Xinomara Velaquez Yehuda
The Hispanic Institute
Tel: 202-544-8284,
Email: xinomara@thehispanicinstitute.net

Some of the nation’s most respected Latino institutions – including those organizations working daily to close the digital divide for Latinos — LULAC, US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, LCLAA, ASPIRA, Hispanic Federation, and many others — have been engaged for years on a policy issue carrying the label and slogan, “Net Neutrality.” This little-understood debate over proposed Internet regulations carries wide consequences for Hispanics and other vulnerable communities as the nation evolves in the global, digital economy. In fact, Latinos have the most at stake. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, only 39.7% of Latinos have access to broadband in their homes. And now, after a long series of meetings and comments, Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski has proposed a compromise framework for putting the debate over Net Neutrality to rest. The proposed framework, to be codified in a yet to be released order which details remain unknown, and voted on by the FCC Commissioners on December 21^st, is an important occasion for Latino community advocates who have long argued for a sensible solution to net neutrality that would facilitate the investments in, and innovation of technology that allows new models to close the digital divide.

Our community’s goal in these years of advocacy has been to put the distracting Net Neutrality debate behind us while maintaining the open Internet that has always characterized its success. Our leaders and advocates, many of which actually work in communities providing digital literacy training, want to get the nation focused on the real work of connecting communities, achieving digitally fluency, and spreading the economic benefits of broadband and digital technology to all Americans. They know their communities’ needs because they actually work in real ways to serve them.

What is Net Neutrality? Why Does It Matter to Latinos?

For those who don’t follow technology issues daily, and especially for advocates of fairness and justice, Net Neutrality carries an appealing label.  Net neutrality regulations, as originally proposed, include six principles, which hold that users of the Internet may:

1. Access the lawful Internet content of their choice;
2. Run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement;
3. Connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network;  it also provides for:
4. Competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers,
5. The nondiscrimination principle that ISPs must not discriminate against any content or applications, and
6. The transparency principle, which requires that ISPs disclose all their policies to customers.

Advocates far and wide, including our most prominent national Latino leaders, have endorsed principles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Despite misinformed blogs and the sloganeering that ensued, the most respected national Latino institutions support a continued open Internet and sensible rules for maintaining all legal content available via the web in an open, transparent environment. Communicating that in a slogan or slick email heading isn’t so easy. Newer organizations and coalitions promote the idea that Latino leaders do not support the open Internet, which is clearly inapposite to their nuanced positions on this complex issue.  While advocates on both sides of the debate agree on much more than is made obvious our public comments, there is a key differentiator that can not be explained with a slogan.

The question becomes, why is rule #5 controversial? Isn’t non-discrimination a good thing? The idea of non-discrimination sounds like something we should apply to our lives. It actually takes a much closer look. Net regulation is, in many ways, a fight over business models with wide consequences – the content providers (e.g. Facebook, Amazon, etc.) have pursued legal guarantees through Net Neutrality regulation that their content would not be discriminated against, nor slowed, while guaranteeing that their companies would also not have to pay toward the billions of dollars it takes to maintain the Internet networks through which their businesses deliver “free” content every day. On the other side are the companies that wire communities for the Internet and deliver that content (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, etc.) who annually spend billions of dollars in building, maintaining, and upgrading the networks, and must continue to do so, to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decades.

The compromise reflected in the Chairman’s proposed framework keeps all content available via the web, subject to reasonable network management, so that the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can keep the networks functioning; it mandates transparency; and prevents discrimination of applications and the cool stuff that gives all of us an exciting experience on the web. Importantly, the framework also leaves the opportunity to develop new business models and pricing structures that can help poor communities to access affordable broadband and, perhaps even spread the cost of new broadband infrastructure through novel public and private partnerships. Latino communities would benefit most from new business models and partnerships that make broadband less expensive. They must be served through new opportunities to connect to the web. A more stringent application of Net Neutrality simply would not allow this.

The details of the actual order to be voted on are still to be seen. But the compromise framework that we look forward to see codified in the Chairman’s order, if reflective of its coverage, includes the input of community advocates, conversations among the nation’s largest companies, and advocacy by political leaders in moderating this debate to truly find a workable solution.

The Chairman’s proposed framework also aligns with Latino advocates who have wanted clear rules that guarantee that all legal content remain available via the web, but does not place the entire cost of new broadband build out, nor impose unreasonable, inflexible standards that may harm consumers’ Internet experiences, as proposed Net Neutrality rules, if implemented, would have.

If the December 21^st order remains faithful to the proposed framework, we may finally be able to leave the Net Neutrality debate in the rear-view mirror and focus on the work we all care about  — connecting communities, training them and finding new ways to keep America competitive in the digital age.

Ensuring privacy protections and enhancing consumer trust online remains a key issue for Latinos and other groups of Americans who already face barriers to their online experience that have resulted in an ongoing digital divide.

“We must ensure the online privacy and safety of all, especially for those in our society who have limited economic means and face a greater impact from misuse of their personal information. We applaud the Department of Commerce’s work on this paper and the leadership of Senator John Rockefeller in keeping these issues in the forefront of the policy debate,” said Jason A. Llorenz, Esq., HTTP Executive Director

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ABOUT HTTP: The Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) is a coalition of national Hispanic organizations working to increase awareness of the impact of technology and telecommunications policy on the U.S. Hispanic community. For additional information, visit:
http://www.httponline.org/

Press contact:
Xinomara Velaquez Yehuda
The Hispanic Institute
Tel: 202-544-8284,
Email: xinomara@thehispanicinstitute.net

The following can be attributed to Jason Llorenz, Esq., executive Director of the Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP):

“The Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) looks forward to reviewing the FCC’s proposed announcement of a compromise on network neutrality that appears to preserve an open Internet while encouraging the continued broadband innovation and investment needed to reach universal Internet adoption and access across America. This middle-ground approach seems to have taken into consideration many of the concerns HTTP has voiced over the past year, on the issue of broadband access and adoption.

“In our increasingly connected world, Hispanics continue to lag behind in their adoption of broadband technology, putting our growing population at a serious disadvantage in the classroom, in the workplace, and in every day life,” said Gus West, co-Chair of HTTP and chairman of The Hispanic Institute. “We are optimistic that it appears the FCC has listened to our community and has come to a sensible framework regarding net neutrality that supports an open and robust Internet – without extreme or burdensome regulation – so that our community can continue to work toward universal digital inclusion.”

“Broadband connectivity holds tremendous promise and opportunity – not just for Hispanics, but for all Americans – at this very critical time. The http coalition is eager to work with the Commission and Congress in the coming weeks and months on this proposed framework and help to find solutions that may arise based on limitations of current law and the changing communications landscape, said Llorenz.”

The Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) is a coalition of national Hispanic organizations working to increase awareness of the impact of technology and telecommunications policy on the U.S. Hispanic community. For additional information, visit www.httponline.org

First and foremost the legislative compromise sponsored by Chairman Waxman was explicitly endorsed by the FCC. To reverse course and repudiate that endorsement would relegate this meaningful compromise to the scrap heap, forcing all the parties involved to start over and expend more time and energy on a debate that has stolen the oxygen from the real issues facing communities in tackling the digital divide.

We should listen to the calls of President Obama and the American people, who are calling for both political parties to work together and compromise in the interest of creating jobs. Net neutrality does not advance this goal, nor the goals of bringing broadband to every American.

Secondly, net neutrality does not create jobs. Job creation will be the result of bipartisan cooperation on smart policies that do not deter hiring and investment. While Chairman Genachowski has suggested that net neutrality regulations will spur broadband deployment, disincentivizing investment will in fact further cement the digital divide by hindering the growth and extension of next-generation networks and innovative, more affordable business models that will actually facilitate adoption.

We again call on the FCC to stop and reconsider, especially in light of the calls from President Obama and the American people to put jobs first. It is widely accepted that regulations are antithetical to job creation, and worse yet that the extension of regulations can harm jobs, investment, and innovation in one of the most dynamic industries in the United States.

The openness and freedom of the Internet that exists today is important to all Americans, and we all agree that it must be protected. Yet, on numerous occasions, HTTP members and other national civil rights organizations have requested fact-based analysis from the FCC demonstrating that net neutrality regulations will drive deployment and not exacerbate the digital divide. However, the FCC has continually rebuffed these requests, doing nothing to assuage our concerns.

HTTP members call on the FCC again to forbear on this ill-considered course of action and bring their focus to implementation of the National Broadband Plan so that we may stimulate broadband deployment and adoption, and create real benefits for America in the digital age.

HTTP looks on this with serious concern and hope that the FCC will consider how Internet policies would affect our constituency.  Studies have indicated that the digital divide that exists in this country has narrowed considerably during the past few years – however, millions of American households continue to lack high-speed access to the Internet.  The FCC’s own study on broadband adoption found that less than half of Hispanics have broadband at home, and that the numbers are even lower for Spanish-speaking Hispanics of which only 20 percent of survery-takers are connected.  Clearly, despite the progress that we have made, the Hispanic community continues to fall behind – and therefore, proposed regulations (however well-intentioned) that could increase the cost of broadband would be counterproductive for price-sensitive Hispanics and others.

HTTP members believe that rapid advances in online services are already resulting in tremendous social benefits for Hispanics – particularly advances in wireless technologies.  Further, we believe that the current regulatory framework both protects the open Internet and encourages precisely the kind of innovation that makes these benefits possible and benefits the Hispanic community.  Consequently, we are concerned about the implications of regulations that could stifle these advances and lead to higher costs, and disproportionately negatively impact Hispanics by putting the entire cost of new broadband infrastructure on consumers.

Our filing encourages the FCC to study the issue of Internet regulation further.   However, we hope that in doing so the Commission will remain focused on its two most important public policy goals which are (1) expanding broadband access choices and (2) making access more affordable.  These two issues are vital for the Hispanic American community.  Net neutrality rules or the potential reclassification of broadband services will not address either of these pressing issues. For more detail, see our announcement.

We are disappointed that House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Henry Waxman’s proposed legislation has fallen to the wayside. We believe that the Congressman’s proposal struck a compromise that ensured an open Internet and encouraged continued broadband innovation and investment needed to reach universal Internet adoption and access across America.

Only 47% of Latinos have adopted broadband services at home, versus 69% of African Americans and 72% of Whites, according to the FCC. Yet, HTTP continues to insist that FCC reclassification of broadband services is not the answer and will only make it more difficult and less affordable for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families to be online. We encourage Congress to reconvene on this issue and continue working toward a bi-partisan legislative solution that supports an open and robust Internet so that our community can continue to work toward universal digital inclusion.

We support Chairman Waxman, Sub-committee Chair, Boucher and other members for their efforts to reach agreement on this complex issue.

“It is critically important for the Hispanic community that Congress, the FCC, and the telecommunications industry focus on the real needs of increased access and adoption that are only being delayed due to this net neutrality and reclassification roadblock,” said Jason A. Llorenz, Executive Director, HTTP.

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A new national survey by Hart Research Associates finds substantial opposition to government Internet regulation, with 75 percent of respondents saying the Internet is working well and 55 percent saying the federal government should not regulate the Internet at all.

More from the survey: “When asked if the federal government should regulate the Internet, 57 percent responded ‘no.’ Of the 31 percent who thought the federal government should regulate the Internet, more than two-thirds said any such regulation should be focused on privacy, online safety and protecting children.”

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As Executive Director, Mr. Llorenz will lead HTTP’s coalition of more than 20 national and regional Hispanic-serving organizations in advancing its mission of realizing full access to technology for underserved communities.

“The Hispanic Institute is thrilled to have a leader in Mr. Llorenz who brings the consensus–building and advocacy skills, along with the strategic insight needed to articulate a meaningful policy agenda in Washington,” said Gus West, Chair, the Hispanic Institute and Co-Chair, HTTP.

“HTTP is the Latino community’s voice to Congress, the administration and the community on technology and telecommunications policy. High-stakes decisions about implementation of the National Broadband Plan, investments in next-generation networks and the potential revision of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 make our voice more necessary than ever, as these issues are discussed in the beltway and around the country. I am thrilled to lead this coalition during such a historic moment,” said Jason Llorenz, Esq., HTTP Executive Director.

To advance its mission, HTTP develops public policy and research that promotes access to broadband and digital tools to close the digital divide and ensure Latinos benefit from the many advances brought about by the telecommunications and information technology sectors of the economy.

Mr. Llorenz succeeds Ms. Sylvia Aguilera, who served as HTTP’s Executive Director since its formation in 1996, and brought the organization to national prominence.

“Our communities’ priorities on technology, broadband and telecommunications policy will be well-articulated by Mr. Llorenz. As Chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, I am excited to have his leadership on this core component of the Latino policy agenda,” said Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, President, Hispanic Federation and Chair, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA).

“LULAC continues to be a strong member of HTTP’s coalition and we look forward to working with Mr. Llorenz on the issues of digital inclusion and access that are so critical to the advancement of the Latino community,” said Brent Wilkes, National Executive Director, LULAC.

“Access to technology is central to the future of American economic competitiveness. USHCC looks forward to working with Mr. Llorenz and the HTTP coalition to advance policies that expand access to technology for America’s Hispanic businesses,” said Javier Palomarez, President and CEO, US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Read the Full Press Release [PDF]