Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.7 Million to Puerto Rico in ‘Internet for All’ Planning Grants

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is committing $5,781,987.00 in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to Puerto Rico through the territory's first “Internet for All” grants. The grant is for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs, as well as for planning for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the territory. Puerto Rico will receive $5 million to support the following:

• Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
• Creation of a report assessing high-speed broadband service in Puerto Rico and an action plan;
• Conducting surveys and community outreach to better understand residents' broadband needs;
• Local engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Puerto Rico will receive $781,987.00 to support:

• Developing a digital equity plan to connect unserved and underserved populations to the Internet;
• Identification of communities lacking digital inclusion and literacy;
• Development of strategies to close digital inclusion gaps, and steer public and private stakeholders to action in response to the gaps;
• Hiring of personnel to oversee the digital equity plan and support community outreach;
• Engagement with community members and stakeholders while collecting data.