Telecommunications Monopoly: Colonial Control of Information

Puerto Rico's telecommunications history illustrates how colonial status shapes even seemingly mundane infrastructure — with real consequences for residents' daily lives and economic opportunities.

Puerto Rico Telephone Company (PRTC): The government-owned telephone company served Puerto Rico from 1974 until its controversial privatization in 1998. Governor Pedro Rosselló sold PRTC to GTE (later Verizon, then acquired by Liberty Latin America as Liberty Puerto Rico/Claro) for $2.25 billion.

The Privatization:
- Workers organized one of the largest strikes in Puerto Rican history — a 48-day telecom strike in 1998
- The sale was pushed through over massive public opposition
- Proceeds were supposed to fund infrastructure and education
- Critics argued the sale transferred a public asset to private hands at below market value
- Service quality declined after privatization while prices increased

Current Disparities:
- Internet speeds in Puerto Rico consistently lag behind mainland averages
- Broadband prices are higher than mainland averages for comparable service
- Cell phone coverage in rural and mountainous areas remains inadequate
- Hurricane María destroyed 95% of cell towers, and full restoration took over a year
- Federal broadband subsidies treat Puerto Rico differently than states

Colonial Dimensions:
- FCC regulation of Puerto Rico telecommunications follows territorial rather than state rules
- Federal broadband investment programs have historically underfunded territories
- The digital divide in Puerto Rico is both a colonial and a class issue: rural, poor, and elderly Puerto Ricans have the least connectivity
- Telecommunications infrastructure failures during María contributed directly to deaths — people could not call for help

Information Control: Control of communications infrastructure is a fundamental tool of colonial power. From the Spanish era (when the telegraph was government-controlled) to the American era (when telecommunications policy is set by a Congress in which Puerto Ricans have no vote), the colony's ability to communicate has been shaped by external authority.