Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
CHAIRMAN PAI MEETS WITH OFFICIALS IN PUERTO RICO
Wraps Up Two-Day Visit to Survey Damage and Reaffirms Commitment to Helping 
Restore Communications Networks as Quickly as Possible
WASHINGTON, November 7, 2017—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai 
wrapped up a two-day visit to Puerto Rico on Monday, where he met with government and 
industry officials to see and hear about the status of recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.
“The devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria has been unimaginable.  I saw some of it for 
myself, from a mountaintop tower in El Yunque National Forest, which is hard to reach due to 
storm damage but is precariously operational, to destroyed homes in San Juan.  The path to 
recovery has met several challenges, most notably the lack of power and functional infrastructure. 
One thing is clear: overcoming these challenges won’t be easy.
“But I’m heartened by the dedication of our public safety community to the people of Puerto 
Rico. As I’ve said before, the worst of tragedies can also bring out the best in people.  I saw that 
firsthand during my two days in Puerto Rico.  Everyone is pitching in: the people of Puerto Rico 
helping their neighbors, hardworking Federal Emergency Management Agency staff (including 
communications personnel in Emergency Support Function #2), the dedicated regulators of the 
Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board, and the FCC’s own Roberto Mussenden, 
who has spent the past month away from his family on the mainland in order to help the island 
where he grew up.  Additionally, amateur radio operators, broadcasters, cable operators, fixed 
wireless companies, wireline carriers, and mobile providers have stepped up to the plate, working 
overtime to connect the disconnected.  All of this work reflects the ethos I saw on many signs and 
t-shirts during my time on the island: ‘Puerto Rico Se Levanta’ [Puerto Rico is Rising].
“Recovering from this storm requires an all-hands-on-deck effort. The FCC remains committed 
to doing everything we can to help restore communications networks as quickly as possible. I 
was glad to hear that our work so far has helped the people of Puerto Rico.  For example, I heard
firsthand about how the $77 million in advanced universal service funding that we provided has 
helped to facilitate the restoration of communications networks in Puerto Rico; about how the 
speedy decision to allow a fixed wireless provider to access 5 GHz spectrum enabled it to quickly 
establish connectivity; about how our recent E-rate decision will help struggling schools keep 
teaching students; and about how having FCC staff on the ground since the storm has been 
immensely helpful to both Puerto Ricans and emergency management personnel like ESF-2 (with 
many lamenting the field office’s closure over one year ago).  Looking ahead, we’re going to 
keep thinking creatively and doing proactively to help restore networks on the island.  Among 
other things, I believe that more funding will be needed in the months to come,” said Chairman 
Pai. 
During his stay, Chairman Pai visited various parts of San Juan and towns along the northeast 
Puerto Rican coast.  He also inspected a tower site and associated infrastructure on mountains in 
El Yunque National Forest.  This infrastructure serves a critical role in providing connectivity in 
the eastern part of Puerto Rico, particularly for first responders.  
He also met with President Sandra Torres López and Associate Member Alexandra Fernández
Navarro of the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (Junta Reglamentadora de
Telecomunicaciones).  Chairman Pai also attended a detailed briefing hosted by FEMA and 
attended by staff from ESF-2, the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service, the 
Small Business Administration, and others, covering everything from the status of 
communications networks to the state of the water supply to debris removal.  
The Chairman also met with representatives from numerous communications entities, including 
fixed wireless providers Aeronet and Neptuno Networks; a wide array of radio broadcasters; 
wired providers like Claro/PRTC and Liberty; and wireless companies like AT&T, Open Mobile, 
T-Mobile, and Verizon.
For more information on the FCC’s response to Hurricane Maria, please visit 
www.fcc.gov/maria.   
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Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).