CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office

Following our earlier announcement 🌐🌴 — Governor Apatang officially executed the CNMI’s BEAD Notice of Award on December 1, 2025, unlocking the authority to begin full deployment of the Commonwealth’s $81M broadband program. This milestone brings us one step closer to delivering resilient, high-speed internet for all.

Read below for more details.

Strengthening connectivity across our islands 🌊✨ — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved the CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office's (BPD) Final Proposal, unlocking $81M to launch a resilient, underground broadband network for every community.

Read the Press Release below for more details!

The CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office wishes you a holiday season full of warmth, connection, and abundance! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

📢 Updated Fact Sheet! 🌴💻
We’ve refreshed our BEAD Program fact sheet with the latest numbers — and the progress is big!

The CNMI is on track to achieve 100% high-speed broadband coverage, connecting 9,568 unserved locations within the next 4 years. 🚀

Backed by over $31M in broadband infrastructure investment and strong local match commitments, this effort will bring guaranteed available speeds of 100/20 Mbps (with potential speeds up to 5000/5000 Mbps) to every household and business. ✨

This update highlights how stronger connectivity will transform education, healthcare, business, and quality of life across our islands. 🌊

📄 See the updated fact sheet below for more details.

📣 Don’t forget to submit a public comment!
The DRAFT CNMI BPD BEAD Final Proposal has been available for review — and your input matters. Help shape the future of high-speed internet in the CNMI! 🏝️💻

🗓️ Deadline: Saturday, August 23 at 11:59 PM
🔗 View the proposal: https://bpd.cnmi.gov
📩 Submit feedback: [email protected]

🚨 The DRAFT CNMI BPD BEAD Final Proposal is now open for public comment! 🚨

From August 16–23, 2025, we invite residents, businesses, and stakeholders to review the proposal and share feedback to help shape the future of broadband in the CNMI.

📄 Read the proposal here: https://bpd.cnmi.gov
✉️ Submit comments to: [email protected]

Håfa Adai yan Tirow,

We know there’s been a lot of discussion and some questions raised about the BEAD provisional selections. To help clear up any confusion and keep everyone informed, we want to share some context and explain the process that guided our decisions.

As stated in our CNMI BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2, here is a brief explanation of how the provisional selections were made:

We received three priority broadband project applications for each of the 21 BEAD Project Funded Areas for buried, hardened, resilient, end to end fiber network deployment.

IT&E buried fiber applications requested for $30 million in BEAD Funds.

GTA buried fiber applications requested for $60 million in BEAD Funds.

DOCOMO Pacific buried fiber applications requested for $90 million in BEAD Funds.

We selected and submitted the lowest cost to NTIA for approval along with our methodology for defining Priority Broadband Project for each project area. They said we had met their requirements and were satisfied. We moved forward with posting our draft final proposal for public comment as instructed.

NOTE: The $1.7 million of applications that Docomo Pacific is referencing in their public comment letter sent to the media is for aerial HFC (cable) network deployment on utility poles. This did not meet the standard for Priority Broadband Project for any of our Project Areas.

CNMI BPD has consistently stressed the need for resilient broadband network for our people. One that isn't subject to massive outages during our frequent typhoons/storms.

We had estimated that to deploy a hardened network it would cost more than the BEAD funds we had secured. After the Benefit of the Bargain subgrant round mandated by the Trump Administration, we were able to achieve provisional subgrant awards that came in $50 million less than what we anticipated.

🚨 The DRAFT CNMI BPD BEAD Final Proposal is now open for public comment! 🚨

From August 16–23, 2025, we invite residents, businesses, and stakeholders to review the proposal and share feedback to help shape the future of broadband in the CNMI.

📄 Read the proposal here: https://bpd.cnmi.gov
✉️ Submit comments to: [email protected]

📢 Big news for the CNMI! 🌴💻
Through the BEAD Program, we’re on track to bring 100% high-speed broadband coverage to every household and business in the next 4 years — connecting 10,687 unserved locations with guaranteed minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps. 🚀

This investment of over $31M will boost education, healthcare, business, and quality of life across our islands. 🌊✨

📄 See the fact sheet below for more info.

In loving memory of Governor Arnold I. Palacios — a visionary leader whose unwavering belief in a connected, resilient future laid the foundation for lasting progress in the CNMI. Your legacy will continue to guide and inspire us.