Amata Welcomes $2.1 Million in NTIA Broadband Funding for American Samoa

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming the announcement of $2.1 million for American Samoa’s broadband and digital accessibility from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as part of over $60 million nationally for Digital Equity Plans. The effort was authorized by Congress under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Amata supported leading to numerous local funding announcements since. 

“The best possible future for our islands’ economy is based on being able to keep up with technology and communications so our local small businesses can take part in worldwide economic activity, our students have access to the latest learning, and our hospital and clinics can increase services through tele-health,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen infrastructure, broadband and other improvements. Thank you to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson, and NTIA for ensuring American Samoa’s funding, along with ASG as our people work with this program for our digital capacity in our islands.” 

American Samoa will use $2,100,000 in funding to implement key digital equity initiatives, including:

• Strengthening disaster response capabilities and community resilience through broadband;      
• Encouraging and promoting private sector efforts to increase access to devices and/or lower costs through refurbishing, recycling, and/or training; and     
• Coordinating initiatives that address affordability to improve Internet access. 

With this announcement, NTIA has approved and recommended for award all state and U.S. Territory applications for the first round of funding from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This first funding round will make approximately $768 million available to states and U.S. Territories.   

This funding is part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda. For a variety of reasons, many Americans struggle to use the Internet connection available to them—for example, some lack the skills to navigate online resources and protect their personal and financial information online; others cannot afford a computer or tablet at home.    

States and territories will use this funding to implement their digital equity plans, which outlines how they will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. 

“Quality, affordable high-speed Internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone across the country to quality, affordable high-speed Internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that Internet connection,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “We look forward to working with the awardees to ensure all residents have the tools and skills to take advantage of quality, affordable high-speed Internet – whether it’s for work, education, health care, or any other essential service.”   

These approvals are from the first funding round of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which made available more than $800 million for states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Native Entities to apply for grants to implement their digital equity plans. These plans were developed under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. Awards of funding will require additional review and approval of State-submitted documentation.    

“For the first time, every state in the nation has a digital equity plan in place to promote widespread adoption of high-speed Internet services. These states and territories now can request access to the funds to put their digital equity plans into action,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative will ensure everyone can thrive online through access to devices and digital skills.” 

Other states and territories in the announcement along with American Samoa were Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, North Dakota, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

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