The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority is to receive $30 million in federal grants administered by the Department of Commerce for the Le Vasa Google Cable project.
During review of the DOC FY2027 budget Acting Director Reinette Thompson-Niko and Deputy Director Uili Leauanae reported that $13 million is from the US Treasury, $10 million is from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) and $10.5 million is from the Broadband Equity Access and Redeployment Program (BEAD).
The DOC officials were asked for assurances that the investment would generate major returns for the government.
Rep Fagaima Larry Sanitoa said $30 million is a lot of money and pointed our that millions of dollars were spent on the Hawaiki cable with little to show in earnings returning to the territory.
Leauanae said the intention is to develop a digital economy through call centers and information technology industries
ASG has been awarded $37.5 million under the BEAD Program and $17 million is currently made available to provide high speed internet to unserved or underserved areas of the territory. The BEAD program funding expires in 2040.
The BEAD program requires internet speed of 100 megabits per second for download and 20 megabits per second for uploads.
As explained by Leauanae both BlueSky and ASTCA are eligible for BEAD funding however at this time only ASTCA is receiving funding. The reason is because the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) which administers the BEAD program, determined that the areas served by BlueSky did not need upgrades. But he said BlueSky can revise and submit a new request.
