Re: Hurricane Maria: Summary of communication status - and lack of

[Sean Donelan <sean () donelan com>]

Fatalities
  Puerto Rico: 34 storm related (last report Oct. 3)
               Media estimate at least 60 storm related deaths
               CDC mortatility rate for PR: average 80 deaths per day all
 causes
  U.S. Virgin Islands: 5 storm related (last report Oct. 3)
                       30 deaths from all causes (natural causes, accidents,
 homicides)


Telecommunications
  Landline phones
     813,546 landlines (CIA World Factbook)

     ILEC (Claro) reports all Central Offices have voice, data and long
 distance working.  Estimate 40% of landline subscriber local loops are in
 service, mostly in metro areas.

     CLECs - no reports

     Cable - Liberty Cable PR is reporting some restoration of service in 
San Juan, Luquillo, Caguas, Levittown and Mayaguez areas.  LibertyPR is 
also providing free wifi in several public locations: Bahia Urbana in San 
Juandes, Luquillo offices, and accross from Purto Rico Coliseum in Hato 
Rey.

 Wireless mobile phones
     3,227,281 (CIA World Factbook)

     The Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulary Board announced Electric 
Energy Authority (AEE) is providing a copy of its schedule of work areas 
so telecommunication companies can coordinate restoration work in the 
same areas. Electric restoration is in Bayamon, Toa Baja, Guaynabo and San 
Juan.

     The PRTRB announced 15 Cell on Wheels temporary cell sites will be 
installed in municipalities around the island by the end of October.  The 
PRTRB also confirmed these are supplementary emergency communications, and 
only provide voice and text service.  PRTRB estimates 60% coverage 
by the end of October and 100% before Christmas.

I still believe 100% does not means full capacity, only minimum 
services; but haven't found an authoritative statement.

     365 cell sites of 1619 are operational according to the PRTRB

     320 cell sites of 2644 are operational according to the FCC


  U.S. Virgin Islands
      35 cell sites of 106 are operational according to the FCC, 
essentially unchanged for the last week