STARTING in July, Verizon will provide digital subscriber line or DSL in the CNMI.
However, the initial cost to customers would not be as inexpensive as it is now in the U.S. and on Guam.
Anthony Mosley, acting general manager of Verizon, announced the company’s plan during the Commonwealth Telecommunications Commission’s meeting last week.
Mosley said Verizon was in the process of “cleaning up” its plan.
“We expect to have it all done in 60 days. We’re looking at a July time frame. We have all the equipment ordered,” said Mosley.
Demand for DSL service is primarily driven by the need for high-speed Internet access.
DSL is a broadband technology that provides high-speed, affordable data communications.
J. Michael Fitzgerald, acting chairman of CTC, said Verizon’s move to provide DSL service in the CNMI would be a boost the islands’ communications technology.
The commission, however, requested Verizon to try to reduce the initial cost.
According to Mosley, DSL may cost clients an additional $100 per month.
“There may be pre-orders. It would start in the densely populated areas first, then we’ll move out. The pricing structure is not going to be as inexpensive as in the U.S. because of bandwidth, but we’re looking at the pricing,” said Mosley.
DSL is now the leading broadband technology worldwide, with 18.7 million subscribers by the end of 2001.
