OFFICIALS from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration are on island to conduct a technical assistance workshop for the broadband offices of the Pacific territories.
The officials are NTIA Deputy Director Courtney Dozier, Regional Director for Alaska and the Territories Tim Stilzeg, Director of Digital Equity Program Angela Bennet, Director of Technical Assistance Amanda Martin, and Pacific Territories Federal Program Officer Ethan Lake.
Joining them are Tyrone Taitano, Carlo Carino, and Melissa Bettis of the Guam Broadband Office; Andrew Berquist of the American Samoa Broadband Office; and Ray Tulafono, American Samoa chief information officer.
According to Glen Hunter, special assistant for the CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office, the visiting officials are here upon the invitation of his office.
Today, Monday, the visiting officials will meet with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang at the administration building.
As an agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA serves as the President’s principal adviser on telecommunications policies pertaining to the United States’ economic and technological advancement and to the regulation of the telecommunications industry.
NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth.
Established by the CNMI Office of the Governor, the Broadband Policy and Development Office has secured a federal allotment of $81 million from NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment or BEAD Program.
Supported entirely by federal funding and as required by the program, BPD recently submitted its BEAD Five-Year Action Plan to NTIA. The plan aims to improve internet services in the Commonwealth by outlining strategies for enhancing internet accessibility and affordability for all members of the CNMI community.
