Remarks of Chairman Pai To The Hispanic Telecom And Technology Partnership Digital Summit

If there’s one positive to come out of the pandemic, it is that it’s ended, once and for all, any debate about the need for universal access to high-speed broadband. COVID-19 has raised awareness about the importance of closing the digital divide. And the Keep Americans Connected pledge proved to be an effective solution to the immediate connectivity challenges highlighted by the pandemic. But our nation had connectivity gaps before the pandemic that will still be a challenge in the years ahead. COVID-19 isn’t the reason that 23% of Hispanic households with school age children lack access to home broadband. Bridging the digital divide requires reducing the cost of broadband buildout, which in turn requires reducing the regulatory burden on buildout. A new study came out recently showing that, compared to 2015, today’s average consumer is paying 28% less for broadband in real terms while enjoying faster speeds.

The Federal Communications Commission is committed to working with the Hispanic Telecom and Technology Partnership and other dedicated advocates like you to finish the job of closing America’s connectivity gap