Digital Opportunity Overview

About Digital Opportunity

What’s the challenge?

Digital Divide

The digital divide is the gap created by unequal access to modern telecommunications technology among different demographic groups and regions.

Whats the goal?

Digital Opportunity

Digital Opportunity is the condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy.

How will we achieve our goal?

Digital Inclusion

Digital Inclusion is the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies

Vision of BPD

“BE THE COMPASS THAT NAVIGATES THE CNMI’S VOYAGE INTO THE NEW DIGITAL WORLD WHERE DIGITAL AFFORDABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND ADAPTABILITY ARE A COMMON WEALTH FOR ALL.”

Digital Opportunity Five-Year Plan

BPD, along with diverse organizations, and the community will work together to implement policies, initiatives, and programs that level the digital playing field. You will find throughout this 5-year plan, the clear need for investing in broadband infrastructure, providing affordable devices, and offering digital literacy programs in the CNMI. You will also find proposed projects for implementation in the next five years to bridge the digital divide.

Prioritized Cover Populations include: Individuals in Covered Households (i.e., Low-Income Households), Aging Individuals (Over 65 Years Old, also known as Manamko in Chamorro), Incarcerated Individuals (Excluding Federal Correctional Facilities), Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities, Individuals with a Language Barrier, Individuals who are Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority Group, Individuals who Primarily Reside in a Rural Area

Covered Households

i.e. Low-Income Househoulds

Aging

Over 65 Years Olds, also known as Manamko in Chamorro

Incarcerated

Excluding Federal Correctional Facilities

Veterans

Disabilities

Language Barrier

Racial or Ethnic Minority

Rural Area

Digital Opportunity Capacity Grant Application

High-speed Internet access is a fundamental necessity for all Americans, regardless of age, race, or income, and irrespective of geographic location, language, resources, disability status, or daily challenges. The State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program aims to allocate funds to kickstart the implementation of State and U.S. Territory Digital Equity Plans developed through the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.

For more information about DE Act Programs, click on link —> https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/funding-programs/digital-equity-act-programs

Digital Equity Capacity Grant

The CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office was awarded $2.1 million through the Digital Equity Capacity Grant to implement projects outlined in its Digital Equity 5-Year Plan. These initiatives aim to support eight vulnerable populations: individuals from low-income households, older adults (Manamko), incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, those experiencing language barriers, members of racial or ethnic minority groups, and residents of rural areas. However, in 2025, the Digital Equity funds were recently rescinded.

Digital Equity Competitive Grant

The CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office had previously been awarded funding to implement additional projects under the Digital Equity 5-Year Plan. However, in 2025, these funds were recently rescinded.