Legislator seeks to secure free internet for students

Rep. Marco Peters’ (R-Saipan) office is working with the islands’ internet service providers, Docomo and IT&E, to explore the possibility of providing for free internet for the community while the CNMI is under a pandemic.

During the House Session yesterday, the legislator expressed concerns about the connectivity of students, especially with the Public School System’s recent announcement that they are going to be reopening classes fully remotely on Sept. 8.

Peters cited the experience of his children who have already started school, and said that there have been “a lot of freezing when they go on video, whether it’s Zoom or other applications. There have been dropped calls, dropped videos, freezing during class time.”

“It’s quite a big challenge to our Public School System, and especially with respect to the private schools that started the past few days,” he said. “The internet is quick, but the access to internet from the homes depends on which area you are at. Whether it’s a Docomo service or IT&E service, there are challenges throughout the islands,” he said.

The legislator also took notice of the request for proposal that was sent out by the Public School System as just being an upgrade for the teachers. “Right now, the RFP that’s going out is to upgrade the system for the teachers, which is great. But when you go from Precinct 4 down to Precinct 1, the access to internet is pretty bad. A lot of our kids don’t have access to internet.”

Peters raised concerns on bandwidth, and added that videos could get bogged down when PSS gets into session.

He said he wants to make access to learning made equal. “With PSS opening on Sept. 8, just sitting down and talking about it with Docomo and IT&E, I don’t think they’re ready for this. …My office continues working with Docomo and IT&E to see ways that we can give our communities free access to online learning, at least for the year during this pandemic. …I’m working hard to see what we can do to get the internet service throughout the islands in our respective districts.”

Peters is also looking to find a grant that the CNMI can work on, for his goal to provide free internet at least for a year to assist with the public school system during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Education Commission Dr. Alfred Ada said that PSS is prepared with its WiFi on Wheels program, where internet routers are installed in PSS school buses that will then be parked in specific sites throughout the CNMI where students can go to and connect to the internet while inside their parents’ or guardian’s vehicle.