The Guam governor’s office announced that GTA, IT&E and Starlink received provisional awards under a program designed to expand reliable, high-speed internet access across the island.
The awards represent a $5 million telecommunications investment through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.
According to the governor’s office, the program involves using buried fiber to connect more than 1,300 homes and 175 community institutions such as schools, libraries and health facilities.
“Today, we take a major step toward closing the digital gap in Guam,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a news release announcing the provisional awards. “Reliable broadband is a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. By choosing underground fiber, we are not only building resilience against storms but also strengthening national security. Reliable, protected communication networks are critical for Guam’s role as America’s forward outpost in the Pacific.
The federal program provides funding to states and territories to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.
Guam’s allocation will address gaps in connectivity for homes and community institutions critical to education, healthcare, and economic development.
A seven-day public comment period on Guam’s draft final proposal opened Monday. The proposal can be viewed on Public Notices Portal - Government of Guam.