GTA breaks ground on $29.7M broadband project

GTA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service broke ground on a $29.7 million project deploying high-speed broadband infrastructure to provide internet services to underserved and unserved areas.

The project is of the nationwide ReConnect Program, which is funded by a USDA Rural Utilities Service grant. The three-phase program will enable GTA to expand its fiber infrastructure network from Yona to Hågat and selected areas in northern Guam. Upon completion, residents in these villages will receive fixed terrestrial broadband service with gigabit speeds, providing faster, more reliable internet access.

 
Representatives from USDA RUS, including Aylene Mafnas, deputy assistant administrator, and Robert Machado, general field representative, joined GTA shareholders, executives, Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio, and local government officials at the groundbreaking ceremony.
 
Roland Certeza, president and CEO of GTA, called this project the “next chapter of connectivity for Guam.

“With the support of USDA RUS, this fiber expansion will ensure that even the most rural areas have access to the fast, reliable internet essential in today’s digital age,” he said.

Providing access to homes and offices that are lacking or don’t have easy access to wifi is part of an overarching effort launched during the Biden administration. Guam received a $156 million award to ensure homes, government and community offices, schools and hospitals can access the internet. The Office of Infrastructure Policy and Development, established by Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero in 2022, is charged with overseeing the implementation of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal broadband investments over the next five years. 

According to the Internet for All website, the focus is on expanding high-speed internet access across the United States and its territories, to include Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The effort is based on the understanding that the internet and access to it is as essential to daily life as energy and water to homes, businesses and community organizations. U.S. and Guam officials have said the internet boosts several areas of modern life:
• Education: High-speed internet is essential for students to access quality education, complete homework, conduct research, and apply for colleges and trade schools. Lack of internet access can hinder academic progress.
• Economic growth: Improved connectivity enhances business operations, allowing companies to reach new markets, increase sales, and create jobs. It also helps workers find good-paying jobs regardless of their location.
• Healthcare: Telehealth services expand access to medical care, reduce hospital visits, and lower costs while improving patient outcomes.
• Community connection: High-speed internet strengthens community ties by facilitating access to essential services, enabling communication with elected officials, and connecting individuals with friends and family.
• Workforce development: Access to high-speed internet supports education and job opportunities, helping individuals acquire skills needed for better employment. mbj