National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial gave a keynote address to a packed room of technology and telecom policy experts and government officials at the 5th Annual Broadband and Social Justice Summit High Tech Policy Luncheon outlining that supplier diversity is the new frontier of economic growth and job creation.
Mr. Morial noted that America was founded on principles of economic mobility—a reality that has since morphed into a dream. But the economics of telecommunications can help close the wealth gap. High speed wired and wireless networks are at the center of the U.S. digital economy. The build out of broadband infrastructure is a major driver of American investment and job creation. It is one of the brightest parts of our short-term recovery and long term competitiveness. However, to deliver on the promise of innovation, competition and universal deployment of broadband and other advanced wireless services, the inclusion of minority women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) as licensees and facilities-based spectrum owners not just service providers or mobile application developers MUST be an integral part of the wireless industry and the policies of the FCC.
Opportunities abound to transform the current frontier. It is the policy of the National Urban League to encourage that build out and to suggest ways to promote inclusion beyond procurement through spectrum auctions, secondary market transactions, and financial transactions. Click here to see Mr. Morial’s entire presentation.
