Rural latino communities need internet access

With nearly 1,000 rural Latino communities spread across the country, rural internet access has long been a priority for Latinos. But the past eight months have created a new sense of urgency. Recently, 19 national organizations representing communities of color, many of them Latino, recently petitioned the Federal Communications Commission.  While the details are complicated, the outcome is not: expanding high-speed internet would be faster and more affordable, benefitting Latino families in rural communities across America.

Connectivity is absolutely a priority and we stand ready to work with a Biden administration to make progress. At the same time, we will continue to press the FCC to support rural broadband deployment as well as look to a new Congress to take up rural broadband early in the next year.  Ultimately, to strengthen our local and national economy, policymakers must step up to ensure rural communities, including the Latino community, have the tools they need to regain lost ground and continue to succeed.

[Sindy Benavides is CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).]