(BPD) — The CNMI Broadband Policy & Development Office, established under the CNMI Office of the Governor, has announced a landmark achievement in its quest for digital equity and broadband expansion.
The CNMI’s BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) Initial Proposal Volume 1 has received official approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This approval, officially granted by the assistant secretary for the NTIA on March 21, 2024, after the proposal’s submission on December 6, 2023, aligns the CNMI with 28 states and Puerto Rico in a united effort to enhance broadband infrastructure across the United States.
The approved BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 focuses on utilizing existing broadband funding to address service gaps in unserved and underserved locations, identifying community anchor institutions, and detailing the BEAD Challenge Process tailored to the CNMI’s needs. This comprehensive document underwent rigorous pre-submission revisions, a public comment period, and several rounds of feedback with the NTIA. Although the process was timely, the extensive oversight ensures a thorough and effective plan for successful broadband deployment in the CNMI.
With the approval of Initial Proposal Volume 1, the CNMI BPD Office is now set to initiate the BEAD Challenge Process, which will be open to eligible entities such as local government units, non-profit organizations, and broadband service providers. This step is critical in fostering an inclusive approach to broadband development, ensuring all unserved and underserved locations are properly identified and assessed.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios expressed gratitude to the CNMI community and federal partners who contributed this significant step in the plan. “The approval by the NTIA is yet another crucial milestone in our focused plan to develop a robust broadband infrastructure necessary for a thriving, digital economy,” stated Governor Palacios.
In line with this announcement, the CNMI BPD Office’s Digital Equity Five-Year Plan remains open for public review and comment until April 6, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ChSt. The CNMI BPD Office highly encourages the public to provide comments and feedback, emphasizing that all submissions undergo thorough review and may contribute to enhancing the Digital Equity Five-Year Plan to better align with the needs of CNMI residents.
For more information on the approved BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1, to review the Digital Equity Five-Year Plan, or to participate in the bi-weekly virtual meetings, visit their website at bpd.cnmi.gov or email them directly at cnmi.bpd@gmail.com/.
