Coronavirus

With Internet Usage Skyrocketing During Coronavirus Pandemic, FCC Grants ATT Additional Spectrum Access for USVI, Puerto Rico

With leaders around the world ordering residents to stay home in an attempt to blunt the spread of the coronavirus, communications companies have seen a surge in internet usage, as people shelter in place. This has been true for the U.S. Virgin Islands, where thousands of residents have taken to online platforms to learn about the latest coronavirus news.  Noting the importance of communication during this crisis, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday announced that it has provided AT&T — the USVI's and Puerto Rico's number one mobile service provider — with additional spectrum access to the USVI and PR to accommodate the traffic, so that users don't see their speeds drop to a crawl during these times. The commission said it is granting AT&T access to the AWS-4 spectrum, currently licensed to DISH, for 60 days to expand its network capacity to meet expected increases in network traffic as a result of more Americans on the islands working from home, social distancing...