Saipan in the Northern Marianas. Photo: Supplied
The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) Broadband Policy and Development (BPD) Office has set a goal to make broadband service costs free of charge for residents in an effort to make it even more accessible under its five-year action plan.
The newly established agency under the Office of the Governor said it will utilise the US$80.7 million from the Telecommunications and Information Administration 'Internet for All' initiative to enable the CNMI to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to everyone comes in really handy.
Outreach specialist De Faustina Camacho said under their Digital Equity Program all individuals and communities will have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy, and economy
She said that the BPD's goal is to ultimately create a digitally connected CNMI where every resident has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband services that contribute to sustainable socioeconomic growth, improved quality of life, responsible environmental stewardship, and increased social equity.
To achieve this, the office has come up with two main programs: the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD), and the Digital Equity (DE) Program.
Some of the potential projects under the BEAD initiative include the Makerspace Creative Space, PSS IT Core Curriculum, Digital Navigators Program, High School Career Pathways, Digital Street Numbering, and Connecting the Northern Islands.
The BPD said the bidding process for both BEAD and DE are entirely dependent upon National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) review and approval and comes following a public comment period.
"DE's 5-Year Action Plan will be finalised by May 2024. DE is also applying for the Capacity and Competitive Grant by June 2024. Once they submit and apply for it, it will depend upon NTIA review and approval," it said.
The office that BEAD's focus is for accessible internet which entails fiber optic connectivity to the home.
Under its envisioned Digital Device Distribution and Digital Labs, BPD can provide the necessary equipment and spaces, ensuring that everyone has accessibility to the internet and the necessary equipment needed.
"Another program we envision is the Digital Navigators and IT Career Paths. Through these programs, we can educate the public and give them opportunities that allow them to navigate and utilize the internet's resources to their full extent.
Ultimately, BPD said high-speed and reliable internet will be a game-changer for far-flung US territories like the CNMI.
"Because we reside on remote islands in the Pacific, it's critical to ensure that everyone has access to a wide range of opportunities provided elsewhere.
"Our goal goes beyond just providing internet access. We want to empower every individual within the CNMI with the opportunity to access education, healthcare, employment, and more...we seek to give everyone the choice to connect with these opportunities."
Attracting digital nomads
Aside from being a great equaliser as far as the interconnected world of the internet is concerned, BPD also acknowledged that bridging the digital divide could allow the Commonwealth to attract digital nomads, who are people who travel freely while working remotely using technology and the internet. Some even manage to achieve the ideal work-life balance while working for a Fortune 500 company.
"Improved internet connectivity will offer reliable internet speeds, meaning a minimum of 100Mbps download speed, 20Mbps upload speed, and a latency of 100ms or less.
"This improved internet connectivity creates an opportunity for work integration. Many individuals outside of the Pacific wanting to visit are reluctant due to limited connectivity."
However, BPD said with a high-speed internet infrastructure in place, the CNMI can resolve this issue.
"Digital nomads will see the CNMI as an ideal destination where they can balance their work responsibilities with the beauty the CNMI has to offer. We can ensure digital nomads can stay connected while enjoying their stay in the CNMI."
If all goes well with the 'Internet for All Initiative', the BPD could finally cross out one of its goals which by 2030, "every resident will have meaningful access to robust, reliable and affordable high-speed Internet bolstered by a dedicated digital equity response that enables all of our residents to succeed in digital space," it said.