Governor continues move to improve broadband in American Samoa

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lemanu-Talauega administration is moving forward in its effort to expand “internet for all” in American Samoa. In a press release issued last week Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga said ASG had received word from the U.S. Department of Commerce commending the territory for its participation in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

At the NTIA conference held in June 2022, it was announced that American Samoa was the first to submit its Letter of Intent to participate in the BEAD Program out of all the US states and territories.

The BEAD Program is part of the Biden-Harrison Administration’s Internet for All Initiative, to provide funding to expand high-speed internet access through planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs across the nation and territories.

The Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Commerce Dept. for Communications and Information Alan Davidson, stated in his letter, “We appreciate the hard work that went into submitting required documents and are grateful for your attentiveness in this important step. Your partnership with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Commerce is exciting, and we look forward to working with you to connect everyone in America to affordable and reliable high-speed internet.”

 “Expanding and improving broadband in American Samoa has been a key priority since taking office,” Gov Lemanu said in the release. “This effort will aid in closing the digital divide, and we look forward to working collaboratively with our federal and local partners in this initiative in expanding our digital workforce and economic development opportunities, improving telehealth, and advancing our education system.

The governor recently established the Broadband Core Working Group, comprising members of the administration with relevant expertise, to focus efforts in securing financial assistance in enhancing and developing our local economy and infrastructure