Broadband is the Engine of Economic Growth in Puerto Rico

Connect Puerto Rico studied how businesses use broadband, and it’s impact on Puerto Rico’s business landscape. In the Connect Puerto Rico Business Technology Assessment, a telephone survey of 814 business establishments in Puerto Rico measured business broadband adoption, examined the use of broadband technology, and assessed the price and quality of broadband service that Puerto Rico businesses purchase. Some Key findings included the following:

• Approximately 12,000 businesses in Puerto Rico still do not use broadband technology

• Adoption in crucial supply-chain sectors such as the Wholesale, Warehouse, and Transportation sector trails even further – one-third of all Puerto Rico firms in this sector still do not use broadband

• Puerto Rican firms that use broadband have significantly increased revenues, with the median annual revenues of broadband-connected Puerto Rico businesses being $200,000 per year higher than those without broadband

• Puerto Rican businesses pay a median monthly price of $83.93 for their broadband service, but the higher prices do not reflect higher speeds. The average download speed (3.9 Mbps) among businesses in Puerto Rico is significantly lower than average among all businesses in states/territories served by Connected Nation

• Approximately 6,000 Puerto Rican businesses allow their employees to telework, making it easier for more individuals to join the workforce

Help us continue to bring broadband to more homes and businesses in Puerto Rico by getting involved. Follow @ConnectedNation and/or @CPuertoRico #Broadband.

American Red Cross Using Technology to Prepare People for Hurricane Season

Posted: May 20, 2011

American Red Cross will be adding technology to help people and prepare them for an above-average 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that 12-18 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes will occur this year. The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1. Red Cross’ officials said that families can take steps now to create a family emergency plan.

Red Cross has developed a free iPhone app that gives the location of all open Red Cross shelters. In addition to mapping the location of a shelter, this app also shows current capacity and population. Users can download the app by visiting the Apple store and “American Red Cross shelters,” said organization’s officials.

In case families do not have an iphone, the shelter information can be obtained from

Red Cross Website by clicking on the option “Find a Shelter.”

Additionally, the Red Cross Safe and Well Web site now allows users to update their Facebook and Twitter status when they register on the site.

To read more click here.

A strategy for growth: Start with wireless internet

By Javier Palomarez | Puerto Rico Daily Sun

Posted: August 17, 2011

A recent news headline sums up our country’s situation well following the most recent release of the jobs numbers: “Beneath Jobs Report Surface Lies Some Ugly Truths.”

While August numbers were slightly more positive, the U.S. unemployment rate still stands at a staggering 9.1 percent, with unemployment in Puerto Rico standing in the mid-teens. America’s serious and ongoing unemployment problem continues to challenge the government to find ways to promote business and job growth. Many in the business community urge tax and regulation reform, but today’s situation is so precarious that officials must do much more than that, a reality recognized by President Obama who recently announced his reinforced commitment to job growth by kicking off a jobs tour on Aug. 15.

A good place to start: focus on expanding the availability of affordable Internet service, especially wireless service. This is especially important for America’s small business community, particularly for Hispanic entrepreneurs. Information released this year by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that not only is the U.S. Hispanic population surging, but that it is also rapidly expanding beyond “traditional” Latino areas.

To read more click here.

Puerto Rico Adds Members to the Broadband Task Force

In 2010, a survey conducted by the Federal Communications Commission indicated that 67% of American households subscribe to home broadband service.* However, in Puerto, only 31% (approximately 911,000 adults) subscribe to this vital utility.**

On May 24, 2011, Puerto Rico established a Broadband Task Force to examine the challenges and access the possibilities for promoting broadband access and adoption across the island. At the inaugural meeting, the task force was initiated with individuals representing varied community sectors including:

• Juan Eugenio Rodriguez, OCIO

• Sandra Torres, JRT

• Eduardo Diaz, ISOC

• Karen Larson, telco community

• Paul Maldondo, IT community

At the second meeting on Aug. 18, 2011, additions to the Broadband Task Force will include:

• Luis Acosta Benitez, higher education

• Beatriz Arroyo, local community/NGOs

• James Lynn, content providers

Chris Pedersen, Connected Nation’s senior stakeholder relations manager, will be on hand in support of the Connect Puerto Rico initiative.

For more information about what Connect Puerto Rico is doing to accelerate technology in Puerto Rico, visit www.connectpr.org.

*Source: Federal Communications Commission, Broadband Adoption and Use in America, 2011.
**Source: 2010 Connect Puerto Residential Technology Assessment.