Northern Mariana Islands
Broadband Office Submits Five-Year Action Plan
The Northern Mariana Islands Broadband Policy and Development Office (BPD) received an award of $81 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The BPD was established by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Office of the Governor.
Governor Arnold I. Palacios, championing the establishment of the BPD, said, “This broadband initiative doesn’t just enhance our global connections between the Marianas and the world — it will also lead to more affordable and accessible services that directly influence our lifestyle. As CNMI forges ahead in this digital age, we aspire to elevate public consciousness about our Internet security stance, build strategic resilience, provide clear direction for our network’s future expansion, and importantly, lay the groundwork for a flourishing digital ecosystem within the Marianas that will enrich the education system, enhance health services, stimulate economic growth, and invest in our future workforce. Our future generations deserve nothing less.”
CNMI submitted its BEAD Five-Year Action Plan to NTIA. This plan aims to improve Internet services in the Commonwealth by outlining strategies for enhancing Internet accessibility and affordability for all members of the CNMI community.
Federal Program Officer Visits Northern Marianas
NTIA's Pacific Territories Federal Program Officer (PT FPO) visited the Northern Marianas and provided support and engagement on the BEAD and Digital Equity Programs. The primary objective of this visit was to engage with a wide array of island stakeholders, fostering collaboration to enhance Internet accessibility and to bridge the digital divide.
During the visit, the PT FPO held strategic meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders, including local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), several government departments, schools, libraries, and government leadership. These discussions revolved around developing strategies to fortify broadband infrastructure, extend Internet access to underserved areas, and promote digital literacy and inclusion within the local community.
The visit served as a platform for collaborative problem-solving and information sharing among these diverse stakeholders. It provided an opportunity to identify specific challenges and foster solutions to advance digital equity and broadband deployment throughout the Northern Marianas, ultimately contributing to a more connected and inclusive community.