On Monday, May 23, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., CNMI-Broadband, part of the CNMI Office of Planning and Development (OPD) under the CNMI Office of the Governor, will hold a Public Listening Session at the CNMI Multipurpose Center. This meeting will be open to all members of the public.
The primary purpose of this meeting will be to listen to public comments, concerns, goals, and aspirations for internet connectivity, digital equity, and broadband-related technologies, activities, and business within the CNMI.
The meeting will start with a brief introduction from CNMI-Broadband Lead Peter Dresslar, who will unveil new draft Sustainable Development Goals related to internet access. The audience will be invited to comment on these goals. The CNMI-Broadband staff will also brief the audience on planned project activities for the remainder of the year, including some of the progress made with our Community Pillars and Marianas Broadband Outreach projects. The team will also communicate about some of the federal projects that will eventually make resources available to the Northern Marianas.
Audience members will then be invited to take the podium and voice their feedback on broadband-related challenges and the solutions they have for improving broadband locally and within the Commonwealth as a whole. No technical understanding will be required for members of the public to attend and participate.
Additional Public Listening Sessions are planned to be held on the islands of Rota and Tinian; details will be released when available.
CNMI-Broadband is a project of the CNMI Office of Planning and Development, working in partnership with the Office of Information Technology, CNMI Department of Finance. Its mission is to gather broadband data, develop a Commonwealth Broadband Strategy, and plan for and execute broadband projects using new federal resources, with the goal of affordable Broadband accessibility to all residents of the CNMI by 2030 or sooner. CNMI-Broadband staff include Lead Planner Erin Derrington and Acting Project Administrator Alex Castro.
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