Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands to receive up to $77 million from FCC to restore communications

Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are in line to receive up to $77 million from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to restore communications after hurricane Maria made most of the island(s) go dark (PDF).  The agency voted unanimously Wednesday October 4th to earmark the funds to help restore communications services on the island(s).

The FCC advanced “up to seven months of their normal federal support,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai who noted the U.S. government’s Universal Service Fund (USF) would be used “to expedite repair and restoration efforts.”

“The devastation wrought by Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands requires us to think more creatively,” Pai said in a blog post. “So I’m asking my fellow commissioners to vote on an order that would provide carriers there up to seven months of their normal federal support in advance—right now, in a lump sum— to help them repair their networks and restore service to consumers. That would amount to a $76.9 million shot in the arm for network recovery and reconstruction. We also would give companies the flexibility they need to restore service as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Almost two weeks after Hurricane Maria walloped Puerto Rico, knocking out its electric grid, nearly 90% of cell phone sites on the island remained out of service. Almost 70% of cell towers remained out in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with little progress made over the last week, according to Reuters.

It’s been more than two weeks since Hurricane Maria made landfall in the territories with Category 4 winds and large storm surge events. Hurricane Irma preceded that cyclone with similar impacts. In a recent evaluation, 95 percent of Puerto Rico is still without reliable power if there is any at all in many towns and that repairs would take at least half a year. The commission estimates that only 11% cell sites are working. In the Islands, only 31% of sites are active.

• Claro Puerto Rico will receive most of the funds along with several other carriers representing the major US networks.
• Vitelco (doing business as Viya) will get nearly all of the $9.7 million allotment for the Virgin Islands.

Regardless of the set timeframe, if a non-subsidized carrier is able to operate to satisfactory capabilities, the temporary infrastructure will have to shut down within 60 days.

Wireless companies have been setting up temporary cell sites and bringing in equipment but still face hurdles with widespread power outages.  Much of the landline network was also badly damaged.

In a statement on Tuesday, AT&T praised the FCC efforts at rebuilding communications infrastructure. AT&T will “closely assess the details of the chairman’s proposal as we continue with the recovery and restoration of our network and facilities,” it said.

On September 25th, the Verizon Foundation pledged $1 Million to support Puerto Rico recover from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria.