THE CNMI Broadband Policy & Development Office is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Benefit of the Bargain subgrant application round under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, as well as the required Special Award Condition meeting with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The BOTB round, mandated by NTIA’s Restructuring Policy Notice issued June 6, 2025, proceeded smoothly, reflecting BPD’s commitment to a fair, open, and competitive subgrantee selection process. The CNMI received multiple subgrant applications for each of its 21 Project Funding Areas, covering a variety of broadband technologies, including fiber-optic, cable modem/hybrid fiber- coaxial, Low Earth Orbit satellite, and terrestrial fixed wireless.
In alignment with the RPN, BPD identified projects that met the definition of a Priority Broadband Project — networks capable of delivering high-speed, low-latency service and scalable to future demands. For all 21 PFAs, at least three applications met this standard. Using the updated Scoring Rubric, BPD selected preliminary awardees based on the lowest funding request, maximizing cost efficiency while maintaining quality service.
The Special Award Condition meeting, a required step of the BEAD award process, was then held with NTIA to review the CNMI’s deployment subgrantee selection outcomes. Following this review, NTIA has provisionally awarded subgrants for broadband deployment projects across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. This milestone moves the CNMI significantly closer to closing its digital divide and delivering affordable, high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities.
Detailed information on the provisional subgrant awards is included in the Draft CNMI BEAD Final Proposal, which will be posted on the BPD website for public review and comment.
The public comment period will run for seven days, beginning Friday, Aug.16, 2025, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, 2025. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the Draft Final Proposal and submit comments by email to cnmi.bpd@gmail.com/.
All submissions will be reviewed and considered prior to finalizing the proposal.
Once the Final Proposal is approved by NTIA, BPD will execute formal Subgrant Agreements with the Official Subgrant Awardees. Under BEAD requirements, all funded networks must be deployed and providing service within four years from the date of the subgrant agreement.
The CNMI BPD Office remains committed to transparency, accountability, and community engagement to ensure that broadband investments directly address the needs and priorities of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.
About the BEAD Program
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, provides $42.45 billion in federal funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to expand high-speed internet access. Administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the program focuses on broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption activities, prioritizing unserved and underserved locations.
