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
Broadband Equity Access and Deployment
The Broadband Coordination, Opportunities, Redevelopment, and Deployment (BCORD) Office is excited to announce the launch of the American Samoa Broadband Map, initiating the American Samoa’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Subgrantee Selection process. This phase comes after the approval of American Samoa’s Challenge Phase results by the grantor, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the United States Department of Commerce.
The American Samoa Broadband Map identifies Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) eligible for BEAD funding. Locations are classified as unserved, underserved or Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) which are based on internet speeds for each location. The map divides these BSLs into 17 Project Funded Areas and includes 41 CAIs and a total of 7,654 BSLs across the territory.
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
May 30, 2025 BEAD Pre-Application Closes
June 2, 2025 BEAD Pre-Application Review Period Opens
June 13, 2025 BEAD Pre-Application Review Period Closes
June 16, 2025 BEAD Application Opens
August 1, 2025 BEAD Application Closes
August 4, 2025 BEAD Application Review Opens
BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process Important Dates:
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
APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED
Applications Open:
January 14, 2025
Applications Closes:
March 7, 2025
Application Review Period:
90 days
For information about your application please contact Digital Equity Coordinator Gloryana Akapo at gloryana.akapo@gmail.com
American Samoa Launches the Digital Equity Grant Program,
Empowering Organizations to close the Digital Divide
The American Samoa Department of Commerce’s Broadband Coordination Office (BCORD) is pleased to announce the launch of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. This initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion opportunities within the territory, ensuring more equitable access to technology and the internet. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded $2.1 million to BCORD to support this effort.
This subgrantee program provides funding to eligible local organizations, such as non-profits, community-based groups, and local government agencies. The funds are to be used to create innovative projects that promote digital literacy, increase internet access, teach cybersecurity and empower underserved communities in American Samoa.
Organizations are invited to submit applications starting January 14, 2025, through March 7, 2025.
Need Direct Support? Please email our team at bcord@doc.as.gov with any questions.
Comprehensive Guidance Materials:
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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