Comment period for Digital Equity Plan ends March 31

Island residents are encouraged to chime in on Guam’s digital future by commenting on the Digital Equity Plan.

The last day of this public comment period is March 31. The Office of Infrastructure Policy and Development said the comment period is part of a comprehensive community engagement process that began in early 2023. The goal is to create “a comprehensive framework of strategies and objectives to improve every Guam resident’s quality of life by creating an inclusive digital landscape.” The office has also been engaging with residents in a series of townhall meetings.

The Digital Equity Plan, combined with the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, program, are federally funded efforts to ensure all residents have access to the internet via a dependable framework.

(From left) Carlo Carino, administrator, Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment, and Melissa F. Bettis, acting special assistant for the Office of Infrastructure, Policy, and Development, were at the Guam Legislature Building on Nov. 1.

The BEAD program begins with Initial Planning Funds for planning and pre-deployment activities, including for the creation of a Five-Year Action Plan, and the Digital Equity Act Programs begin with State Digital Equity Planning Grants to create a State Digital Equity Plan

The administration and office recently awarded a $156 million project for broadband funding to IT&E. The BEAD program aims to ensure every home on the island has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, working in tandem with the objectives of the Digital Equity Plan.

According to the plan, which is available online: the digital realm has shifted from being a luxury to a fundamental necessity. Guam, with its unique geographical and socio-economic challenges as well as its potential, exemplifies this transition. As we progress through the 21st century, the paramount importance lies in ensuring that every Guam resident can access digital resources, tools, and opportunities equitably.

Recent events have amplified the significance of digital equity in Guam. The devastation of Typhoon Mawar in May 2023, caused significant infrastructural damage, and left many residents isolated both physically and digitally. This recent natural disaster highlighted the need for resilient digital infrastructure. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our shift into the digital age, moving work, education, and communication online. This transition exposed the disparities in the community to equitable access to digital resources. Even prior to these events, areas in Guam grappled with inadequate broadband access, with many households lacking essential digital tools.
Send your comments via email to [email protected]. mbj

Comment period for Digital Equity Plan ends March 31