Puerto Rico Providers Report Progress in Hardening Networks
T-Mobile cited widespread power issues in its annual report on the progress of its affiliate T-Mobile Puerto Rico in hardening its network through Uniendo program funding. Parts of the report, posted Friday in docket 18-143, were redacted. Other providers also updated the FCC.
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In 2024, T-Mobile “significantly hardened its network and increased availability and capacity of the system to ensure a more resilient network and improve the overall customer experience,” the report said: “Nevertheless, because of the continued instability of the Puerto Rico power grid, T-Mobile continues to face a high number of power outages, with the past year seeing an increase in outage minutes above the historical average.” T-Mobile said it’s installing generators and backup batteries at its cellsites. Its “plan is to maintain back-up generators on every site that is structurally and contractually feasible. As of today, all 78 municipalities have at least one cell site with back-up generators to safeguard the continuity of service.”
Another provider, Claro, said it’s also making improvements to its network using Uniendo funds, including adding cellsites. “In addition to the hardening of the new cell sites, having more cell sites deployed mitigates the potential of service outages and impairments during storm-related events, whether it is due to wind damage, flooding, or long-term power outage.” The provider said it’s using the fund to also install generators at its sites, though the number of generators and other details were redacted. “Consistent with company procedures, the company officials in charge of the backup power equipment inspect all emergency power generators whenever a Weather Watch Bulletin is issued to ensure they are working and have enough fuel to operate for at least 48 hours,” Claro said. Viya Wireless told the FCC that last year it purchased and deployed backup batteries at cellsites across its territory, at a cost of more than $63,000.