Puerto Rico is home to a population of approximately 3.1 million people with an additional 3 to 4 million tourists visiting the island each year. Spanning just 30 miles long and 90 miles wide and situated in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico’s size and location make it especially vulnerable to the threat of tropical storms and earthquakes. Public safety in Puerto Rico need reliable communications to keep them connected, especially when responding to severe weather incidents. 

The First Responder Network Authority team recognizes the unique communications challenges that Puerto Rico first responders face. We have been working closely with Puerto Rico public safety officials since 2014, capturing their feedback and translating it into the design of the FirstNet network. During the development of state deployment plans, our team worked hand-in-hand with Puerto Rico leaders to ensure the plan was customized to address their needs, including:

• Providing increased resiliency, so first responders can be confident that the network will be there when they need it
• Stationing dedicated network assets on the island that can be deployed for expedited response and recovery efforts as needed
• Improving coverage along critical coastal areas 

Following this close collaboration, Puerto Rico chose to adopt the plan and “opt in” to FirstNet. Today, we continue to meet regularly with territory and local officials to discuss their public safety broadband needs. Our engagements in Puerto Rico included meetings with the Departamento Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico (DSP), Negociado del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Puerto Rico (NCBPR), Negociado Manejo Emergencias Administración Desastres (NMEAD), as well as meeting with federal partners operating in the Caribbean. Engagements like these are crucial to the ongoing success of the network and the advancement of public safety communications across the territory and the nation.

Connect with our team of Public Safety Advisors to learn about FirstNet in your community.