Puerto Rico already has its 5-year Action Plan to expand the deployment of high-speed and reliable broadband, which aims to guarantee access to the Internet with a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps and upload speed of 20 Mbps. 

Through the Puerto Rico Broadband Program (PRBP), also known as Smart Island, the government has unveiled the new plan that encompasses four fundamental pillars: connectivity, quality, accessibility, and knowledge. The plan serves as a roadmap to plan the island’s investments in broadband infrastructure and coordinate the efforts of different actors from the public and private sectors towards the common goal of promoting digital inclusion. 

The four pillars establish the priorities of the PRBP to enhance the reach and capacity of connectivity services for the population, institutions, and businesses. Based on these key pillars, some of the main objectives of the program in the medium term include: 

• Building resilient broadband infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters, as hurricanes are a constant issue on the island. This includes fiber optic networks, microwave routes, last-mile networks, wireless backhaul, submarine cable landing stations, 5G, and other advanced technologies. 
• Addressing obstacles to new infrastructure construction: the PRBP will work with central government agencies, municipalities, and other organizations to generate clear and efficient processes for installing poles, conduits, and other necessary network elements. 
• Promoting competition: all investment projects will include mechanisms for the participation of small and medium-sized businesses and local retailers based in Puerto Rico. 
• Maintaining a skilled workforce: the program aims to address the labor shortage. Data on the workforce in the sector will be collected and analyzed in order to coordinate efforts to develop local talent and create training programs. 
• Ensuring high-speed connections: all locations with broadband service will have access to 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed, with latency of 100 milliseconds or less by 2027. 

Eventually, infrastructure programs will promote gigabit capacity and service through fiber optic. Fiber routes will prioritize connectivity for anchor institutions in communities, such as schools, administrative offices, and public housing buildings, which will receive symmetrical gigabit service. Broadband subscriptions will have affordable prices. Internet options will be developed for low-income households, and affordability measures will be integrated into infrastructure planning. Supporting affordability and accessibility.