Broadband | ASDOC

Public Notice:

The BCORD Office welcomes public comments for the following document:

American Samoa Digital Equity Plan - Public Comment Period is CLOSED

We still encourage public review of the document, which may be found below.

American Samoa Digital Equity Draft Plan

The BCORD Office was established by Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga via Executive Order # 007-2023 on April 3, 2023. The key mandates of the office are to:

Apply for, manage, and coordinate the use of broadband funding available to American Samoa.
Develop strategies to facilitate buildout and implementation of broadband infrastructure necessary to achieve universal broadband access for American Samoa.
Develop and advocate for policies that make high quality broadband service more accessible, affordable, and reliable in American Samoa

BCORD Programs & Initiatves
"BROADBANDiNEI"

The BCORD Office is home to several programs and initiatives:

ARPA - BroadbandiNEI

In 2022, the BCORD office received funding under ARPA for the initial BROADBANDiNEI initiative - which focuses on building broadband capacity in the Territory facing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and building capacity for future potential pandemics. The $10m in funding was sub-granted to eligible entities for the improvement of broadband infrastructure, including 5G Cellular networks and domestic submarine fiber-optic cable repairs.

Tech Park (Capital Funds Project)

A $14.3m multi-purpose community facility to improve resources for communities that enable work, education and health monitoring. Funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury - Capital Funds Project

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)

Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) set up a $42.45b fund to expand high-speed internet access. American Samoa has thus far received $1.2m in planning funds with the announcement of an allocation of $37.56m. The BCORD office and its partners have also released the BroadbandiNEI - BEAD 5 Year Action Plan.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by the USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - to provide eligible participants a discount on their monthly internet services.

Digital Equity

Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) set up a $2.75b fund to establish three grant programs to support digital equity. American Samoa has thus far received $150k in planning funds, with the formula grant and competitive grants to still be determined.

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American Samoa Territorial Broadband Strategy

A "living" strategic plan to help the territory create digital inclusion plans to reduce the digital divide and prioritize digital equity for its residents (2021-2026)