The United States Department of Commerce has awarded the Government of Guam $12.8 million to increase broadband infrastructure in Hagatna.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo states that currently, 32.5% of Guam’s population live in areas without any such broadband infrastructure, and almost a fifth don’t have an internet subscription.
Access to the internet has become increasingly important in the digital age and especially during the pandemic, when many people have had to work remotely. A sudden need for internet has in fact been one such qualifier for assistance programs in Guam, such as the Homeowners Assistance Fund program.
Moreover, students without a reliable source of internet were hit especially hard when GDOE’s mifi subscription ended.
According to the US Office of Public Affairs, the funding “will be used to install quality middle-mile and last-mile broadband . . . and will serve 10,000 households across the territory.”
