In order to jumpstart the communications restoration in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai proposed allowing carriers to use their Universal Service Fund allocations. Pai circulated a proposal among his colleagues for a vote; if passed, the order would quickly make available up to $96.9 million to repair wireline and wireless communications in the hurricane-ravaged islands.
Pai proposed giving carriers the option to receive those funds before performing the work. “Instead of receiving a standard monthly payment, carriers could elect this month to receive seven months’ worth of funding immediately in order to expedite repair and restoration efforts,” said Pai. He asked his fellow Commissioners to approve the item as quickly as possible. If that hasn’t happened by the October 24 meeting, the agency will vote on it then.
Overall, 88.3 percent of cell sites were not operating as of Monday, according to the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System. All counties in Puerto Rico, except three, Bayamon, Guaynabo, and San Juan, had more than 75 percent of their cell sites out of service. None of the cell sites were working in 27 out of the 78 counties on the island.
The restoration is quicker in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where 68.9 percent of cell sites were out of service on Monday. FEMA reported St. Thomas had 41.8 percent of 55 cell towers operational; St. Croix had 21.4 percent of 42 cell towers operational as of Monday.
Wireless Infrastructure Association President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein said WIA members are doing “all they can” to ensure public safety agencies and citizens have access to the necessary communications networks. “The structures are sound – the issue is getting power to the facilities and getting access to them.”
October 4, 2017
Reader Interactions