The Commonwealth took a major step toward building a storm‑resilient communications system after the CNMI Broadband Policy & Development Office signed a $31.3 million Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) subgrant agreement with IT&E, marking one of the largest infrastructure commitments in the islands’ history.
The agreement, finalized Wednesday in the Governor’s Office Conference Room, includes a nearly $22 million private investment match from IT&E—an unprecedented 41% contribution that far exceeds the federal 25% requirement. The project will construct a fully underground fiber‑optic network reaching about 10,000 unserved and underserved homes and institutions across all 20 Project Funding Areas on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.
With the signing, the CNMI becomes the second state or territory in the nation—after North Dakota—to fully execute its BEAD subgrant awards, clearing the way for full implementation and deployment to begin.
Gov. David M. Apatang said the recent typhoon underscored the urgency of replacing vulnerable aerial systems. “Experiencing this recent typhoon highlighted the severe communication challenges we face during emergencies, and fixing that infrastructure is one of our top priorities,” Apatang said. “This historic project will bring high‑speed internet to nearly 10,000 homes and community institutions across the CNMI.”
BPD officials said resiliency guided every major decision. The islands’ aerial copper and fiber networks have repeatedly failed during major storms, leaving residents disconnected for weeks. “By burying this network, we are protecting our digital lifelines and ensuring our community stays connected when they need it most—before, during, and after the next typhoon,” said Glen Hunter, special assistant for Broadband Policy & Development.
The agreement comes as the CNMI continues recovery efforts following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which caused widespread damage to aerial lines. IT&E executives said the company remained committed to the Commonwealth despite the challenges. CEO David H. Gibson called the project “the single biggest capital investment that IT&E has made, period,” adding that the network will drive economic growth and attract new residents.
Velma Palacios,senior director of IT&E CNMI, said the company is ready to begin deployment. “Because we have a buried infrastructure, we will continue to, with this project, provide that resilient infrastructure to everybody’s homes,” she said.
Beyond construction, the project is expected to support local workforce development. Nearly 300 residents have completed the Governor’s Broadband Digital Boot Camp, preparing them for fiber installation, maintenance, and long‑term technical operations.
BPD thanked the Governor, NTIA, IT&E, and community partners for their collaboration, calling the agreement a milestone in building infrastructure “that endures.”
