Welcome to the American Samoa Broadband Coordination Office
The Broadband Coordination Office is dedicated to driving the digital future of American Samoa. Our mission is to expand and enhance broadband access across the territory, ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to thrive in a connected world.
Key Focus Areas:
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Broadband Funding: We actively pursue and manage funding opportunities to support broadband initiatives that benefit the people of American Samoa.
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Infrastructure Development: Our team works to implement innovative strategies for building broadband infrastructure to achieve universal internet access across the territory.
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Affordable Connectivity: We champion policies that prioritize accessibility, affordability, and reliability, ensuring that high-quality broadband services are within reach for all communities.
Together, we aim to bridge the digital divide and empower American Samoa with the tools to succeed in the modern age.
BEAD Program
BEAD Pre-Qualification Application is NOW OPEN!
Applicants must create a simpligov account to submit a pre-qualification application. Up to three (3) users can be created per organization and can be added as a collaborator to your application.
Contact bcord@doc.as.gov if you have any issues include "BEAD" in your subject line.
(Only for Registered Users)
Broadband Equity Access and Deployment
The American Samoa Broadband Coordination Office (BCORD) is pleased to announce that the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Pre-Qualification Application is now open. This application is intended only for organizations planning to deploy broadband infrastructure and network upgrades to the identified Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) in American Samoa.
Our Broadband Map, released in April, includes Priority Funding Areas (PFAs) and BSLs to guide applicants in project planning. Eligible applicants are encouraged to review the map and available resources as they prepare their pre-qualification applications and upcoming full proposals.
For more information, please contact our office at bcord@doc.as.gov or join our weekly BEAD Office Hours to ask questions and receive guidance: https://meet.google.com/btv-ywbg-eny
April 2, 2025 Release Broadband Map
April 15, 2025 Broadband Map Comment Period Opens
April 30, 2025 Broadband Map Comment Period Closes
BEAD Pre-Application Opens (30 day Extension*)
June 30, 2025 BEAD Pre-Application Closes
July 1, 2025 BEAD Pre-Application Review Period Opens
July 14, 2025 BEAD Pre-Application Review Period Closes
July 15, 2025 BEAD Application Opens
Aug. 29, 2025 BEAD Application Closes
Sept. 1, 2025 BEAD Application Review Opens
Dec. 1, 2025 BEAD Application Review Close
BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process Important Dates:
BEAD Resources
American Samoa Broadband Serviceable Location Map
American Samoa's Map of NTIA Approved Broadband Service Locations (BSLs) and Community Anchor Institutes (CAIs). To view the map at full screen click here.
Broadband Map Resources:
Project Funded Area Summary
Broadband Map Flyer
Digital Equity Program
Termination of the Digital Equity Act
Effective May 9, 2025, the Digital Equity Act has been officially terminated by the U.S. Department of Commerce under the administration of President Donald Trump and Secretary Howard Lutnick. This decision, communicated through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), requires that all remaining grant funds be returned to the federal government.
As a result, the American Samoa Department of Commerce, through the Broadband Coordination Opportunities Redevelopment and Deployment (BCORD) Office, must discontinue all current Digital Equity activities, including application evaluations, project planning, and stakeholder engagement under this federal program.
If you have any questions about the DEA Termination please contact Gloryana Akapo at gloryana.akapo@doc.as.gov
Resource & Materials:
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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, and has been awarded $2.1 million to implement Digital Equity activities.
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)
Broadband Resources
BROADBANDiNEI 5 Year Action Plan (BEAD) [August 2023]
Other Resources:
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(09/30/2024) - Press Release: AS Secures $36 Million in Funding for BEAD Infrastructure Projects
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(06/26/2024) - Press Release: American Samoa and all U.S. Territories Digital Equity Plan Accepted
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(05/31/2024) - General Memorandum 126-24: Internet for All: Challenge Phase - June 1-14, 2024
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(04/02/2024) - News Release: Digital Equity Act Updates for American Samoa
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(08/23/2023) - Press Release: BCORD Office Awarded Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant
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(08/01/2023) - GM-189-23 - Appointments to Broadband Steering Committee
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(07/31/2023) - GM-187-23 - Appointments to Broadband Steering Committee
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(07/20/2023) - Press Release: Cyber Disruption Consequences Management Workshop
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(06/26/2023) - Press Release: American Samoa to Receive Over $37 Million for High Speed Internet
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BCORD Office Hours (June 2023)
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(04/04/2023) Executive Order #007-2023 - Establishing the Broadband Coordination Office
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KokoByte's Episodes (2020 Podcast)
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Episode #1: Mr. Sal Augafa, Chief Technology Officer, American Samoa Telecommunications Authority: Topic: What’s next for ASTCA?
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Episode #2: Mr. Sonny Leomiti, Vice President, Finance and Administration, American Samoa Community College Topic: COVID-19 and ASCC
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Episode #3: Mr and Mrs. Robin and Vico Nomaaea, Co-Founder Zephyr Partners Topic: Opportunities to expand contact/call centers in American Samoa
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Episode #4: Mr. Sonny Stevenson, App Developer/Software Engineer Topic: A Young Samoans story of a career in Applications Development
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Episode #5: Mr. Remi Galasso, CEO and Founder of Hawaiki Topics: Hawaiki and American Samoa- The vision behind Hawaiki
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Episode #6: Mr. Chris Magalei, Field Engineer/System Support Engineer at StratusWorx Topic: Education and Programming
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