The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved USD237.9 million in funding over the course of three years to ‘expand, improve, and harden’ mobile broadband networks in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Specifically, in Stage 2 of the ‘Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund’ and ‘Connect USVI Fund’, the FCC has authorised USD233.9 million to three operators serving Puerto Rico and USD4 million to one telco serving the USVI. This includes approximately USD59.5 million in funding specifically devoted to deploying 5G networks in the two territories – representing the first 5G-focused universal service funding the FCC has awarded to date.