1,500 sites on Guam to get high-speed internet under broadband expansion program

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The government of Guam has signed agreements with GTA and IT&E

to expand high-speed internet service to hundreds of homes and critical community institutions under the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment initiative.

Approximately 1,340 previously unserved and underserved homes and 175 community anchor institutions, including schools, healthcare facilities, public safety entities, libraries and other essential community organizations, stand to benefit from the $5 million federal and private investment

"Every resident deserves access to the opportunities that reliable internet service makes possible," stated Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero. "These agreements are the result of years of planning, collaboration, and determination.”

The BEAD initiative was designed to bridge the digital divide and start a new phase of broadband deployment that will expand access to education, telehealth, public services, economic opportunities, and emergency communications, according to the governor's office.

“Connectivity equals access, and access creates opportunity for more of our residents to have the tools, services, and information they need, regardless of where they live," Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio said.

"Public-private partnerships play an important role in addressing infrastructure needs that benefit our entire island," said Andrew Gayle, Chief Operating Officer of GTA. "We appreciate the trust and collaboration of our government partners as we continue strengthening Guam's communications infrastructure," stated Gayle.

David Gibson, IT&E CEO, said, “This initiative is more than infrastructure; it is about ensuring every resident, regardless of where they live, has access to reliable, high-speed."

Officials acknowledged the island’s strategic location as a landing hub for undersea fiber optic networks that literally span the globe. 

They added that the BEAD initiative will take into account the need to build lasting, typhoon-resilient infrastructure on the island in typhoon alley.