Emergency communications policies in Puerto Rico: Interaction between regulatory institutions and telecommunications companies during Hurricane Maria

Abstract

Extreme infrastructure collapse poses unique challenges to emergency communications. This was the case in Puerto Rico in 2017 after hurricanes Irma and Maria. In this study, we first examined telecommunications carriers representatives' views of the adequateness of emergency communications policies. Their views were contrasted with the perspectives of a selection of telecommunications experts and regulators. Secondly, we conducted a policy analysis to assess the FCC, the Telecommunications Bureau of Puerto Rico, and telecommunications companies' emergency communications processes and outcomes. An electronic questionnaire and in-depth interviews with telecommunications companies' representatives, and secondary data analysis were used. The analysis revealed that most participants considered favorably the 2017 Wireless Resiliency Cooperative Framework but did not look favorably upon various state-level emergency communications policies. The policy analysis points to ineffective state emergency communications policies due to the impact of external factors and the lack of coordination of the state government electrical power provider and private telecommunications companies. The results also revealed that between 2017 and 2019, policy makers and the application of policy tools in regard to emergency communications were largely reactive and relied on vigorous state level intervention through a prescriptive regulatory approach. The analysis includes policy recommendations for emergency communications.