Satellite Internet communication access planned for NI

Northern Islands Mayor Jerome K. Aldan wants to implement satellite Internet communication access in the Northern Islands and has so far solicited proposals from two companies.

Two of the vendors Aldan has reached out to provide satellite Internet communications in the Northern Islands are Hughes Global Service and Exede Internet.

“The impetus in seeking alternative communication access came about as a result of the grant expiration, which funded Internet access in Pagan in conjunction with the installation of a state-of-the-art fiber optic communication technology around Pagan. Internet communication, among other uses, was available for the past three years courtesy of a grant managed by the local CNMI Homeland Security,” Aldan said.

Aldan said that the type of communication service/technology needed is one that provides capacity to develop the Northern Islands’ existing fishing and eco-tourism industries. A stable satellite Internet connection will allow the islands’ school-aged children and advanced scholars alike access to proper educational materials and allow for scientists to study the unique plant life and marine biology.

In his letter to Hughes and Exede, Aldan expressed high interest in both vendors for information.

Both letters to the two companies said that, “the native residents of Gani Islands, such as Pagan Island have been deprived of basic communication services. For this reason, I would like to inquire about the possibility of subscribing to your U.S. or worldwide communications network.”

In his letter, Aldan said he would like to offer a space for Exede or Hughes to apply their technologies on Pagan Island. Specifically, what may be required is sufficient bandwidth to enable basic communication, phone, Internet access, educational materials/videos, distance education, telemedicine, etc., for up to 1,000 inhabitants.

Aldan said that his office can provide either C band or KU band antennas. To operate this technology, he’d like to know about the type of electronic equipment that may be required or needed from Exede or Hughes and whether they could provide the required equipment if his office could commit to a long-term subscription and at what cost.

Another reason in seeking Internet communication is the interest and concern expressed by Office of Insular Affairs Assistant Secretary Esther Kai’aina on communication access in the Northern Islands in her recent meeting with Aldan. During the meeting Aldan informed her about the lack of communication access on the island other than a single band radio. The Northern Islands Mayor’s Office used to have telephone access via satellite but Homeland Security and Emergency Management has not provided the equipment to Aldan as of yet.

Kai’aina also gave a letter to Aldan expressing input on Internet communications.

“We…discussed the Internet connection, which was recently terminated because of maintenance cost. What I found from Homeland Security Emergency Management Office is that it costs around $80,000 a year to maintain and keep the Internet running on Pagan Island. However, the deputy special assistant for HSEM mentioned that the local homeland security office is testing a more inexpensive option costing a mere $3,000 Internet connection fee a month,” Kai’aina said.

“We are hopeful that we may get some technical assistance in this area considering that communication is imperative to the lives of the people in the Northern Islands, not to mention the potential for distance learning and telemedicine capabilities. Currently the form of communication is through a VHF single ssideband radio, which during inclement weather has poor to no reception. This is another activity that perhaps your office could provide technical assistance to the Northern Islands,” she added.