Former FCC member Rivera to speak on need to expand broadband
Former FCC Commissioner Henry Rivera
Former Federal Communications Commissioner and Internet Innovation Alliance Strategic Counsel Henry Rivera will highlight the importance of expanding broadband and closing the digital divide for Latinos in a speech Thursday to the National Caucus of Hispanic State Legislator Summit.
Rivera, who was the first Hispanic FCC Commissioner, works with the IIA to promote universal broadband. IIA is a national coalition dedicated to expanding access to high-speed broadband to all Americans including Puerto Rico.
During his presentation at the El Conquistador Resort, Rivera is expected to call for eliminating the gap – or “digital divide” – that exists between those who have access to information technology and the resources and skills necessary to effectively participate as digital citizens and those who do not. He will expand on his points during his “Connecting the Dots in the Digital Age: Policy, Social Capital and Advocacy” keynote speech.
The Latino community has many pressing challenges as we look for ways to grow the economy, grow jobs, make health care more affordable and accessible, and increase the quality of our educational system. While jobs are a priority for everyone, they are particularly critical for our community because unemployment among Latinos is above 11 percent, significantly higher than the national average.
Rivera, who earlier this year spoke in favor of the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile, is also a partner with Wiley Rein LLP, where he specializes in representing telecom and media companies before the FCC, Congress, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the White House.
