Strategies that make universal broadband access a reality are needed

As the federal government readies $65 billion for broadband adoption, local leaders should make thoughtful, culturally-responsive strategies that connect all of our communities. The Pew Research Center found that only 65 percent of Latino adults say they have a home broadband connection, compared with 80 percent of White respondents. Not surprisingly, this disparity also directly correlates with a family’s household income, with those earning $50,000 or less most often saying they have trouble paying for a broadband connection at home. These effects are compounded for the nearly 4 million Latinos estimated to be living in rural parts of the country, a burgeoning segment of our population. Addressing these multilayered challenges must be top of mind as state and local governments work to establish digital equity plans that seek to increase broadband access. At HTTP, the national Latino voice in tech and telecommunications policy, we are collaborating with federal, state, and local leaders to promote inclusive public policies that ensure equitable access to broadband and the economic opportunity it provides. As the federal government prepares a historic $65 billion investment in broadband adoption, we encourage local leaders to leverage those funds to build their internal capacity to develop informed, thoughtful, and culturally relevant strategies to make universal broadband — and educational and workforce equity — a reality.

[Antonio Tijerino is the president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and an issue chair for the HTTP CEO Roundtable.]