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FCC chair proposes $950M for broadband networks in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai circulated a draft order on Sept. 4 to provide about $950 million for broadband networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The funds will be provided to "storm-harden, improve, and expand broadband networks" in the territories, according to an agency news release. The funds are not being offered in response to Hurricane Dorian but as a phase two round of funding to follow up on earlier assistance provided after the territories were hit hard by hurricanes in 2017. Funds will come from the agency's Universal Service Fund, which connects unserved and rural areas with telecommunications services.

If approved, the latest funding round will expand on the FCC's Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund, which was created in 2018. The first round provided assistance for restoration efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Pai said in a statement that the new funding would support the deployment of gigabit fiber, 5G and "ensure that Americans living there will be able to fully participate in the digital economy and remain connected when they need it most."

The draft order will be voted on at the agency's monthly meeting Sept. 26.