Puerto Rico’s broadband Internet service was ranked the slowest after all states and the District of Columbia in a 2008 Communications Workers of America study. Critical Hub Networks’ Puerto Rico Bridge Initiative (PRBI) will reduce this digital divide by connecting the territory to faster and more affordable service. Prior to this initiative, Internet communication had to go through one Internet backbone to the Network Access Point of the Americas (NAP) in Miami, and then go back through the NAP to return information to an Internet user in Puerto Rico. Using its BTOP funds, Critical Hub purchased two additional 10 Gbps undersea fiber-optic cable lines, which will significantly increase Internet capacity for Puerto Rico.

The increased capacity will provide people on the island with connectivity equal to the mainland United States, increasing the opportunity for economic development, job creation, and educational resources. For example, the Center for Internet Augmented Research and Assessment (CIARA) of Florida International University uses the new Internet backbone to establish an exchange point in San Juan as part of its AmericasPath (AMPATH) project, which will allow people in the Caribbean to share knowledge with mainland institutions and participate in more scientific research studies through faster connections. These partnerships will help Puerto Rico transition into a knowledge-based economy.

Last Updated October 17, 2011.