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Puerto Rico

April 30, 2024
Envisioning an Equitable, Inclusive, Connected America

Broadband Summit

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in collaboration with Puerto Rico’s Broadband Office, held a Broadband Summit at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in April 2023. During the Summit, the Broadband Office engaged with stakeholders and received feedback regarding the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Programs. Over 280 stakeholders attended in person or virtually.

Puerto Rico Roundtables

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collage of photos with a group of people from Smart Island in Puerto Rico

NTIA convened four Broadband Roundtables in Puerto Rico monthly from June through August 2023. Over 200 attendees participated in the roundtables. NTIA shared program information at the roundtables including updates and deadlines with stakeholders.

In August 2023, NTIA provided technical assistance and program information about BEAD and Digital Equity to mayors across Puerto Rico.  

Puerto Rico Established Broadband Program

Governor Pedro Pierluisi established the Puerto Rico Broadband Program under Executive Order 2022-40, which addressed the pressing digital divide within the region. Both local and federal funds were earmarked for Puerto Rico, which bolstered the deployment of essential broadband infrastructure necessary to close the digital divide that exists on the island.

Broadband Office

The Broadband Office staff created a website (Programa de Banda Ancha de Puerto Rico) with information, media, press releases, job postings, and more. The office also established sub-committees, the Digital Equity Committee, and the Broadband Advisory Committee. The committees contain a diverse group of stakeholders who assist the State Broadband Office (SBO) in gathering input and conducting planning for the programs, as well as creating collaborative agreements with American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and local agencies to hold listening sessions around the island.

Mapping

The SBO hired a geographic information system (GIS) analysis firm to help with their mapping capabilities. This resulted in the development of a Broadband Visualization Tool that the office used to create a precise asset map of broadband infrastructure, unserved and underserved locations, and community anchor institutions.

Amplifying Investments

Puerto Rico received a BEAD allocation of $334.6 million. Puerto Rico and the White House both held press conferences to announce the allocation. The SBO Executive Director, Enrique Volckers, attended the White House press conference where President Biden announced the BEAD allocations.