Broadband everywhere announces Hispanic entrepreneurs Task Force.

Broadband Everywhere announced the formation of the Hispanic Entrepreneurs Task Force, a group of 20 Hispanic small business leaders that will advise BE coalition members and lawmakers on the importance of public policies that ensure that broadband and video technologies are deployed quickly and fairly in Hispanic communities.

The members of the Task Force share in the belief that broadband access is essential for economic and educational advancement and believes that advanced networks must be deployed to all communities in a provider’s footprint regardless of income or ethnicity. Task Force members will reach out to lawmakers at the federal and local level and recruit other small businesses to promote policies that ensure that all communities benefit from broadband networks.

Ed Diaz, Chair of the Hispanic Entrepreneurs Task Force, said, “High-speed networks are integral to the success of Hispanic small businesses around the country. The question is whether the law will continue to require that cable and phone companies bring their latest services to Hispanic communities or whether we take a step back and allow the phone companies to cherry pick only the wealthiest communities. We’re not here to pick sides, but the Task Force believes that historic civil rights protections must be enforced to ensure that we deploy broadband everywhere, particularly in Hispanic communities.”

Mr. Diaz continued, “In order for the next generation of Hispanic entrepreneurs to realize their dreams, we must ensure that they have access to the latest broadband technologies. Otherwise, they will be operating with one hand tied behind their backs.”

Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, Broadband Everywhere co-chair and Hispanic Federation president, said, “I am honored to welcome the Hispanic Entrepreneurs Task Force to Broadband Everywhere’s growing coalition. I am confident that they will help us deliver the message that America’s national telecom policy must ensure reasonable and equitable deployment of broadband to Hispanic communities.”

For more information at http://www.broadbandeverywhere.org