Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands Get Phase 2 FCC Broadband Post-Storm Support
FCC commissioners voted to move forward with $950 million to help improve and strengthen broadband networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was one of five unanimous votes Thursday at the agency's monthly meeting, though commissioners from…
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each party expressed some concerns. The item allocates $500 million over 10 years to support fixed broadband in Puerto Rico, $250 million over three years for mobile broadband in Puerto Rico, $180 million over 10 years for broadband in the U.S. Virgin Islands and $4 million over three years for mobile networks in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Wireline Bureau staffers said revisions to the order in docket 18-143 will include new weighting on resiliency and redundancy that would give a better score to broadband networks that use aerial facilities if they incorporate wind-resistant composite poles rather than wooden utility poles, as some sought (see 1909250007). Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the FCC should have a clearer picture of where it spent to help telecom restoration and of the state of communications facilities, before it fashioned how the new wave of USF is spent. Republican Commissioner Mike O'Rielly called the moves well intended but said he had concerns, including on 5G and disaster reporting and other requirements. Sandra Torres Lopez, president of the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Bureau, told us the "huge amount of support" will help expand high-speed broadband to unserved parts of Puerto Rico so they will have "the best in technology." Alexandra Fernandez, associate member of the Puerto Rico Public Service Regulatory Board, tweeted the funds "will bring a new economy" there.