Connect Puerto Rico Releases New Broadband Availability Maps and Data

Universal Service Fund Reform Expected to Have Significant Impact on Broadband Penetration

San Juan, PR – Yesterday, Puerto Rico Chief Information Officer Juan Eugenio Rodriguez de Hostos in a joint presentation with Sandra Torres, President of the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Board, released the latest Connect Puerto Rico broadband availability maps and data at the Puerto Rico Telecom Conference 2011.

Both also offered insights into the right kind of legislative environment for promoting the type of technology modernization necessary for Puerto Rico to realize a vibrant and robust digital future.

New data estimates indicate that 86% of households have broadband available at basic connection speeds (768 kbps download/200 kbps upload speeds). The estimate drops significantly when looking at higher connection speeds necessary to support Internet applications that consumers are increasingly demanding, such as video streaming. An estimated 41% of households across the island have broadband available at speeds of 6 Mbps/768 kbps or higher.

Connect Puerto Rico – October, 2011

These facts were highlighted by Governor Luis G. Fortuño in his October 17, 2011, letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of sound reform of the Universal Service Fund (USF), a program that distributes over $8 billion annually across the USA and territories, and approximately $270 million across Puerto Rico.

On October 27, the FCC voted to reform and modernize the USF program. This reform will transition the USF program currently subsidizing voice telephony to a new Connect America Fund that will instead support broadband expansion.

The Connect Puerto Rico broadband inventory map demonstrates that Puerto Rico is lagging behind most areas in high-speed broadband penetration. As a result, the USF reform underway will have a drastic impact across Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico has made positive strides to address technology challenges — a prime example being the creation of a Broadband Task Force, composed of individuals representing varied community sectors to inform the development of a Strategic Broadband Plan for Puerto Rico,” said Rodríguez de Hostos.

A coalition of private and public stakeholders including Governor Fortuño’s administration and Representative Pierluisi, as well as private members of the Puerto Rico Broadband Task Force (PRBT) are working collaboratively with the FCC to ensure that the reforms underway will help bridge the broadband gap across the island estimated by Connect Puerto Rico. The PRBT has focused on preparing for the knowledge economy through broadband. The PRBT is developing a strategic broadband plan for sustainable technology expansion in Puerto Rico.

“During 2011, the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Board has allocated approximately $1 million to establish free Public Computing Centers throughout the island, one in each municipality. The establishment of these centers is to reduce the digital divide by making sure all Puerto Rico communities have broadband access. As of today, two centers have been opened, in Moca and Toa Alta, and 4 more are in the final stages,” said Torres.

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Chief Information Officer Juan E. Rodríguez Unveils Interactive Map to Increase High-Speed Internet Access and Adoption in Puerto Rico

San Juan, PR – Last week, CIO Juan E. Rodríguez announced the launch of Puerto Rico’s first islandwide broadband availability map. The web-based map gives a preliminary view of the broadband landscape in Puerto Rico. Called BroadbandStat, the application is fully interactive and puts powerful tools and information directly into the hands of anyone interested in knowing what services are available and where the opportunities for expansion exist. The Connect Puerto Rico website featuring BroadbandStat is available in both Spanish and English versions at www.connectpr.org (English) and http://es.connectpr.org/ (Spanish).

Much like the revolutionary impact of harnessing electricity or the telephone, high-speed Internet connection is Puerto Rico’s lifeline to future prosperity. The map development is funded by a federal stimulus grant and is guided by the Connect Puerto Rico initiative, under the Puerto Rico Office of the Chief Information Officer; Puerto Rico’s designated entity under the grant award. Connect Puerto Rico is a subsidiary of the national nonprofit Connected Nation.

“The Connect Puerto Rico initiative and the BroadbandStat website place Puerto Rico on a trajectory for reaching its broadband goals — goals that will have far-reaching implications for the future of the territory, such as expanding economic opportunities and innovation, increasing trade and productivity, fostering new investments and job creation, and enabling the cost-effective delivery of essential social services to the public at-large. By increasing broadband access and use across the island, Puerto Rico is facing a brighter future, with greater opportunities for enhanced economic empowerment,” said Rodríguez.

“With this unveiling of the preliminary map, we seek to receive public feedback and encourage provider participation. So far, 8 of 16 broadband service providers in Puerto Rico are participating in the initial phase of the mapping project. Of those eight, only four are represented on the map. We would like there to be more and hope that this release will demonstrate to the service provider community the utility and value of this map,” Rodríguez said.

The goal for the initiative is to increase broadband availability and adoption across the island and link every community in Puerto Rico to economic opportunity. Findings in the National Broadband Plan reinforced this goal by indicating that, “Broadband and the Internet make it possible for small businesses to reach new markets and improve their business processes. It is a core infrastructure component for local communities seeking to attract new industries and skilled work forces. As a result, small businesses, workers, and communities must have the broadband infrastructure, training, and tools to participate and compete in a changing economy.”

“Broadband is an integral part of the modern day economy. High-speed Internet enables access to quality jobs, information, education, and vital healthcare services. We are proud to be partners with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, through this initiative, to create an inventory of its broadband capacity and identify the areas where broadband doesn’t exist and enhance the quality of service in areas that are currently being served so that citizens may enjoy the unlimited benefits of a faster connection,” explains Brian Mefford, CEO of Connect Puerto Rico’s parent company, Connected Nation.

Connect Puerto Rico is funded through a $1.4 million award by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to launch the initiative in the commonwealth and carry out the work. Under the NTIA State Broadband Data and Development grant program, Connect Puerto Rico is charged with creating islandwide awareness, mapping, maintaining Puerto Rico’s broadband inventory, and conducting planning efforts. These funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. NTIA, as required by the ARRA, will use these data to make a national broadband map by February 17, 2011.

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