Public access to a Thursday morning meeting of the V.I. Next Generation Network board was not available, but the agency’s spokeswoman said members focused on replenishing their inventory and “hardening” the network’s infrastructure as the territory approaches the peak of hurricane season.
The Source received notice of the board meeting, which gave board members the ability to participate by teleconference only. A call-in number was not provided, but the extension of viNGN head Mark McGibbon was given for “questions and more information.”
There was no response this week to messages left at the number, but network spokeswoman Pamela Finley did respond to inquiries after with the following statement:
“On June 21, 2018, the viNGN Board of Directors chaired by Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp approved two resolutions to restore fiber optic cabling inventories and ancillary equipment which were expended to rebuild the viNGN 100 percent fiber optic network after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria,” Finley wrote. “The new inventory will be used to make the viNGN more resilient by placing fiber optic cabling in underground conduit in conjunction with WAPA as electrical lines are buried. The new inventory will also be used in transferring fiber optic cables from wooden to hardened composite poles that can withstand 200 mile per hour hurricane force winds.”
Don’t forget the new Tacoma’s for the Board of Directors and their families 😉