IT&E ushered in a new era of coverage and connectivity in the Marianas with the recent completion of $1million capacity and coverage expansion projects. Now the CNMI and Guam will benefit from several additional improvements that are currently underway.
The Next Generation Network project will bring the first high-capacity broadband services to the CNMI and Guam through an extensive upgrade to the island backbone infrastructure. The improvements will upgrade the existing inter-island microwave and undersea fiber transmission systems. Capacity will increase to 1.2 Gbps for our inter-island Microwave System and to 10 Gbps for our Undersea Fiber Cable System.
“The Next Generation Network will bring the next level of communications to our area and expand the availability of high-speed connections to the Marianas, especially to those who provide essential services to our community,” said IT&E executive vice president Larry Knecht.
By the time the project is complete, IT&E will be able to provide improved broadband connections to 403 anchor institutions, including community colleges, K-12 schools, libraries, health care facilities, and public-safety organizations. This will also enable government agencies, schools, and businesses to benefit from videoconferencing and other advanced broadband capabilities.
The Next Generation Network project will also improve health care services by expanding and enhancing broadband capabilities for public health and social services facilities on the islands.
In the coming weeks and months, IT&E will work together with our project partners from the Workforce Investment Agency, the Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas College, the CNMI Department of Commerce, the CNMI Department of Public Health and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. During that time, IT&E will update the public with project progress reports that will focus on every aspect of Next Generation Network.
For more information about IT&E’s coverage and services, contact IT&E Customer Care at 682-4ITE (4483) at IT&E Customer Service on Middle Road.
