Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, The CommLaw Group, is pleased to announce its affiliation with Puerto Rico-based attorney, Walter Arroyo.  Mr. Arroyo joins the firm through its Virtual Law Partner (“VLP”) platform, which enables experienced legal professionals to partner with our firm to deliver highly personalized, partner-level service and to do so both affordably and flexibly.  For additional information on the firm’s VLP platform, visit: Careers.

Walter serves as Special Counsel to our firm and its clients.  Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Walter is an experienced telecommunications law attorney providing “on the ground” service to U.S. and global clients entering or operating in the Puerto Rican telecommunications and information technology markets.  Continue reading for additional information about Walter’s background and experience or visit his professional bio.

The timing of our firm’s affiliation with Walter, while coincidental, creates a tremendous opportunity for firm clients interested in capitalizing on the Federal Communications Commission’s recent proposal to create the “Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund” (Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund).

FCC to Establish Billion Dollar Fund to Support Puerto Rican Efforts to Rebuild, Restore, and Grow its Communications Infrastructure

On March 6, 2018, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced plans to direct approximately $954 million toward restoring and expanding communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—networks that were damaged and destroyed during the 2017 hurricane season.

Specifically, Chairman Pai proposed to create a $750 million Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund (Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund) and a $204 million Connect USVI Fund.  Each of these funds would provide additional short-term assistance for restoring communications networks in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and longer-term support for expanding broadband access throughout the islands.

The plan includes:

• An immediate infusion of approximately $64 million in additional funding for short term restoration efforts.
• A proposal to allocate approximately $631 million in long-term funding for the restoration and expansion of fixed broadband connectivity in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• A proposal to allocate approximately $259 million in medium-term funding for the restoration and expansion of 4G LTE mobile broadband connectivity in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• The immediate conversion of the advanced funding the Commission provided last year to carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into new funding by declining to offset that advanced funding against future universal service support payments.

The plan would be funded by providing approximately $256 million in new funds as well as re-purposing universal service support currently directed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

More Information About Walter Arroyo and How He Can Help Firm Clients

Mr Arroyo is a fully bilingual lawyer with excellent relations with key members of the telecommunications, video and broadcast industry in Puerto Rico. Also has access with public officials of the Executive branch agencies and the Legislature of Puerto Rico. Besides his extensive knowledge of the industry Mr. Arroyo has hands on approach, bonds with cross functions teams and is eager to undertake new responsibilities.  Mr. Arroyo goal is to provide a service of excellence, leveraging experience and relationships to support his clients in achieving their business goals.

Mr. Arroyo’s legal career exceeds more than 34 years, including more than 29 years in the information and communication technologies industries as a lawyer, government relations professional and former executive of the biggest multi/technology operation in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc. and its affiliates. During his tenure at the company he worked for different owners such as the Government monopoly, GTE, Verizon International and America Movil. Currently, he is in the private practice on his own Law firm, since January 2017. He has a broad experience addressing the legal, regulatory and compliance aspects of financial, operational, technical and marketing issues associated with the telecommunications, broadband, wireless and video distribution industries. Mr. Arroyo is equally well-versed in transactional work, commercial litigation, administrative agency advocacy and intercarrier relations matters.

He has hands-on experience counseling and/or advocating before the FCC and the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board and in local and federal courts regarding the negotiation, arbitration and litigation of intercarrier interconnection and compensation matters.  Additionally, Mr. Arroyo has actively participated in regulatory proceedings and legal actions regarding dialing parity, all numbering matters, Universal Service Fund’s Lifelink, Lifeline and E-Rate programs, High Cost Fund programs, tower business and regulation, wireless spectrum bids and licensing, roaming, digital transition, RF interference and IPTV/Cable franchise.