Photo: NANUET
The CNMI last week was awarded nearly $80 million to improve broadband infrastructure on the islands.
This followed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)'s approval of the CNMI's proposal.
The CNMI's Broadband Policy and Development Office (BPD) launched its second volume of its CNMI Broadband, Equity, Accessibility, and Development (BEAD) Initial Proposal in November last year.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan said the close to $80m funding again proves that the infrastructure funding law, that passed when Democrats controlled the House and Senate in 2021, continues to benefit the Northern Marianas.
"A second installment of funding ($79.5m) was awarded Wednesday to help meet President Biden's goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service," he said.
Governor Arnold Palacios said the funding "will create new opportunities in education, healthcare, and business, helping us build a more resilient and connected CNMI".
"We are one of only 24 states and territories to so far receive this full approval."
Along with the CNMI, NTIA also approved Utah for $317m and the US Virgin Islands for $27m for their respective initial proposals of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris administration's 'Internet for All' initiative.
This approval enables the CNMI, Utah, and the US Virgin Islands to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program.
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Law includes a $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the US.
The states, territories, and Washington, DC were allocated funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet service.
Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.
Assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information and NTIA administrator Alan Davidson said Utah, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands can move their 'internet for all' efforts from planning to action.
BEAD-eligible entities - the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia - are required to submit for NTIA's approval an initial proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders.
NTIA will continue to announce approval of initial proposal on a rolling basis.
One year from initial proposal approval, states must submit a final proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the sub-grantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.
