Federal Communications Commission DA 20-1082 DA 20-1082 Released: September 15, 2020 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU AUTHORIZES STAGE 2 MOBILE SUPPORT FOR T-MOBILE IN PUERTO RICO WC Docket Nos. 18-143, 10-90 In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) authorizes high-cost mobile support funding for T-Mobile USA, Inc./PR Wireless PR, LLC, As part of its merger with Sprint Corp., T-Mobile USA, Inc. acquired PR Wireless PR, LLC, which previously elected to receive Stage 2 mobile support. Letter from Olga de la Torre, Director, Legal Affairs, T-Mobile USA, Inc., to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, WC Docket Nos. 18-143 et al. (July 7, 2020); Renewal of Certification for Stage 2 Funding, PR Wireless PR, LLC, WC Docket Nos. 18-143 et al. (Dec. 9, 2019). (hereinafter T-Mobile), an eligible facilities-based mobile provider participating in Stage 2 of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund. The Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, Order, 34 FCC Rcd 9109, 9164, para. 105 (Sept. 30, 2019) (PR-USVI Stage 2 Order). The Bureau previously authorized mobile support elections for other mobile providers in the Territories. Wireline Competition Bureau Authorizes Stage 2 Mobile Support for Certain Providers Participating in the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, Public Notice, 35 FCC Rcd 6321 (WCB 2020). In the PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, the Commission made available $258.8 million in Stage 2 high-cost support over a three-year period to mobile providers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to restore, harden, and expand 4G LTE and 5G technology for voice and broadband service in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, 34 FCC Rcd at 9163, para. 102. For the three-year period, the Commission allocated budgets of $254.4 million to Puerto Rico and $4.4 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands Id. and provided eligible facilities-based mobile providers with a one-time opportunity to elect to receive a pro-rata share of Stage 2 mobile support based on the number of subscribers served as of June 30, 2017. Id. at 9163-64, para. 104. Each eligible mobile provider could elect to receive up to 75% of its pro-rata share of support for use towards the restoration, hardening, upgrading, and expansion of networks capable of providing 4G LTE or better services and up to 25% of its available pro-rata share of support for use towards the deployment of 5G network technology as set forth in the Order. Id. On October 18, 2019, the Bureau released a Public Notice announcing November 18, 2019, as the deadline for mobile providers to submit their elections to receive Stage 2 support for the Territories. Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Deadline for Election to Participate in Stage 2 Mobile Support for the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, Public Notice, 34 FCC Rcd 10360 (WCB 2019). Pursuant to the direction in the PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, a total of six mobile providers elected to receive Stage 2 funding in the Territories, four in Puerto Rico and three in the U.S. Virgin Islands. AT&T elected to receive Stage 2 mobile support in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to their elections, mobile providers were required to submit Disaster Preparation and Response Plans for the Bureau’s approval prior to receiving authorization for Stage 2 support. PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, 34 FCC Rcd at 9175, para. 135; Appendix B (Disaster Preparation and Response Plan). The Commission required applicants to describe in detail in their Disaster Preparation and Response Plans how they will meet five criteria: (1) Strengthening Infrastructure; (2) Ensuring Network Diversity; (3) Ensuring Backup Power; (4) Network Monitoring; and (5) Emergency Preparedness and to document their methods and processes for achieving each of these goals. PR-USVI Stage 2 Order at 9174-75, para. 134; Appendix B (Disaster Preparation and Response Plan). Support recipients were also required to update their Disaster Preparation and Response Plan when making material changes to internal processes or responsible staff and to share the updated Disaster Preparation and Response Plan with the Bureau within 10 business days. PR-USVI Stage 2 Order at 9175, para. 136. Following review and evaluation, the Bureau approves the Disaster Preparation and Response Plan for T-Mobile based on the criteria set forth in the PR-USVI Stage 2 Order. The Stage 2 mobile support allocations announced in Attachment A to this Public Notice are based on the subscriber counts certified by T-Mobile, Puerto Rico’s allocated Stage 2 budget, and our approval of the Disaster Preparation and Response Plan. See Attachment A (Uniendo a Puerto Rico and Connect USVI Fund - Stage 2 Mobile Allocations); see also PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, 34 FCC Rcd at 9119, para. 18. The Bureau continues to review the Disaster Preparation and Response Plans received from the remaining eligible mobile providers that are not listed in Attachment A. We direct the Universal Service Administrative Company to disburse the allocated funding in Attachment A consistent with the PR-USVI Stage 2 Order. We remind all ETCs that carriers receiving federal universal service support “shall use that support only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended.” 47 U.S.C. § 254(e); 47 CFR § 54.7(a). As such, ETCs must use this funding to help restore and improve coverage and service quality to pre-hurricane levels and to help safeguard their equipment against future natural disasters, as described in the PR-USVI Fund Order. PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, 34 FCC Rcd at 9120, para. 20. Finally, as provided in the PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, all ETCs receiving Stage 2 mobile support are subject to ongoing oversight and must comply with annual reporting and certification requirements. Id. at 9172-75, paras. 126-32. For additional information on this proceeding, contact Dangkhoa Nguyen (Dangkhoa.Nguyen@fcc.gov) of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division. - FCC - ATTACHMENT A Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund Stage 2 Mobile Support Authorization Provider Funding Allocation (4G LTE or Better) Funding Allocation (5G) Total 3 Year Mobile Support Total Support per Year Total Monthly Support T-Mobile/PR Wireless $15,339,118.25 $5,113,039.41 $20,452,157.66 $6,817,385.88 $568,115.49 2