

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:
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Apply for, manage, and coordinate the use of broadband funding available to American Samoa.
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Develop strategies to facilitate buildout and implementation of broadband infrastructure necessary to achieve universal broadband access for American Samoa.
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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.

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]

BROADBANDiNEI 5 Year Action Plan Draft (Digital Equity) [Coming Soon]
Other Resources:
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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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Episdoe #6: Mr. Chris Magalei, Field Engineer/System Support Engineer at StratusWorx Topic: Education and Programming
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