USVI Public Records

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www.t-mobile.com BEFORE THE 36TH LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, & TELECOMMUNICATIONS April 8, 2026 Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, Senators, and staff. On behalf of T-Mobile, we appreciate the opportunity to provide comments regarding Bill No. 36-0074, related to roadside maintenance and vegetation management. At the outset, we note that T-Mobile’s network operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands are delivered through a combination of third-party infrastructure arrangements, including tower and backhaul providers. Consistent with this structure, vegetation management and related physical infrastructure maintenance activities fall within the scope of responsibility of the respective infrastructure owners and operators. That said, roadside maintenance and vegetation management activities can have a direct impact on telecommunications service continuity, particularly where they intersect with power infrastructure, fiber routes, or shared utility corridors. From an operational and public safety perspective, T-Mobile offers the following considerations for the Committee’s review. With respect to implementation, coordinated execution across relevant stakeholders is an important factor in minimizing service disruptions. Alignment among government agencies, utilities, and infrastructure providers can support more effective planning and reduce the likelihood of unintended impacts to communications infrastructure. In other jurisdictions, coordinated vegetation management practices have contributed to improved infrastructure protection and service continuity, particularly during emergency conditions. In addition, visibility into maintenance activities is an important element of operational readiness. Processes that support advance awareness of roadside or vegetation work, along with clear identification of responsible parties and established communication channels, can facilitate timely coordination and response in the event of an incident affecting telecommunications infrastructure. Finally, restoration coordination remains a key consideration, particularly given the Territory’s exposure to severe weather events and power-related disruptions. Frameworks that support alignment between infrastructure operators and utilities during restoration efforts can help ensure that communications services are restored efficiently and in coordination with broader recovery activities. Reliable wireless connectivity plays a critical role in emergency response and public safety, and timely restoration remains essential in that context. www.t-mobile.com T-Mobile appreciates the Committee’s attention to infrastructure management in the Territory and remains available to support continued dialogue on implementation considerations associated with this legislation. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this testimony.