FCC to Further Strengthen Storm-Hardened Puerto Rico & USVI Networks

The Federal Communications Commission proposed a plan to extend certain Universal Service Fund support to eligible mobile and fixed carriers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to ensure consumers have access to advanced telecommunications services in the face of hurricanes and other natural disasters. With the effects of Hurricane Fiona clearly evident, the proposal seeks to build on the FCC’s Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund and the Connect USVI Fund and continue support for the restoration, hardening, and expansion of resilient communications networks on the islands. Without FCC action, some of the existing support is scheduled to end starting in June 2023. The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on a plan providing transitional support for strengthening and hardening the networks on the islands to withstand storm damage and have redundant capabilities. The Further Notice seeks comment on providing transitional support for current mobile support recipients for up to 24 months following the end of Stage 2 support in June 2023, or until a long-term mobile funding mechanism is created. For fixed broadband network providers, the item proposes to extend phase-down support that is scheduled to end in June 2023 for providers who were not awarded long-term competitive support in a given area.