a , , - & Sftce of the Gevernar of Guam Box 2970 Hagia, Guam 98932 HL 472-893 FAK 7 47-4826 EMALL pera Felix P. Camacho Michael W. Cruz, sco iteant Governor 10/14/2008 ‘Me. tan Martner Senior Advser and Director of Outreach, BTOP Program National Telecommunications and Information Adminstration Department of Commerce Washington DC Dear Mr. Martner “This note is in response to NTA’ request for comment on stateterritory applications for 8IP/ATOP applications. The Government of Guam had identified the folowing priory areas to promt and expand the use of broadband services on the island of Guam, Prior to the BTOP/SIP submission deadline ry office had the chance to meet individually with potential applicants from Guam and outline these Protein depth A. United Fiber Loops ‘Tne Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (OPHSS) provides healthcare and socal assistance services to lower-income communities in Guam. They have four lacations that fare geographically spread out across the island, Located at varous ponts between the DPHSS locations are a number of emergency fist responders (fre, police Chil Defense), schooks, Nbrares, and various senor etzen centers. Te Office ofthe Governor supports the establishment of a fber loop that connects all DPHSS locations because in addition to providing affordable high-speed connections for health care providers, this iver loop woul also benefit the other stakeholders listed above, This infrastructure would also complement ARRA-funded health IT projects that alm to promote the use of electronic health records to reduce health care costs, I woud also complement ‘ARRA funded highway projects that aim to improve the monitoring of afi signals Iland-wide by connecting them toa central monitoring point. 2. Omisland “Meetme’ points Currenty, connections between a number of carriers requires data trafic from the originating carrer to leave Guam (to California) and return to the receiving carrer even thaugh they are practically across the street from each other. This results in an Inefficient use of expensive bandwidth that has cost implications forthe community asa whole, On‘sland “Meet-me’ points Consisting ofa local switching faites) would create a local connection point that would allow traffic originating and terminating in Guam to remain on island,3, Communication Tower(s) Broadband services to the southern portion are comparatively limited due to 3 lack of infrastructure and challenging terrain, There s 2 mountain (Mt, Ssalaguan) onthe southern part of the Islan from which a tower could provide line-of sight coverage to the entire southern Porton ofthe island. A tower in this location would be made avaiable toll earrers/'SPs on ‘Guam as wells Government of Guam agencies. This wl provide improved services to residents and government agencies in the south which Include a numberof emergency fist responders (fre and police}, schools libraries, and various senor ctiren centers, ‘This infrastructure would also complement ARRA funded health I projects that aim to promote the use of electronic health record to reduce healthcare costs, woul also complement ARRAunded highway projects that aim to improve the monitoring of traffic signals island-wide by connecting them ta central monitoring pont. ‘The next section contains comments as submitted by The Bureau of information Technology under the Office of the Governor of Guam. you have any questions please fee free to call my call at (671) 483- (0582 or via email at jim lacsont@bit guam.gov Sincerely, =< sim Laeson Chie information officer Office ofthe Gavernar of Guam Bureau of Information Technology http: //otguamgov Tel: 671.475.1229 Fax: 673.472.9508 Mobile:7.493,0592 Jimacson@bitguam gov‘Comments on Guam Submissions for BIP/BTOP Funding Applicant: GTA Teleguam, LIC Project Provide a 633 Mbps internet connection between Guam and U.S, Mainland for use by anchor ‘communities like Government of Guam and its agencies to provide enhanced connectivity and reduce latency for demand growth ina cost effective way by utilizing existing GTA Guam network for delivery Government of Guam Comment “This project would greatly reduce government internet communications costs and would allow the {government to provide internet access to agencies and stakeholders covered under the S1/2TOP Grants. Public sector stakeholders ~ Police, Fic, Schools, Libraries, Senior Citizen Centers, and Puble Health Providers, would benefit rom access to low-cost internet bandwidth, Continued sustainability fr this project as currently defined beyond the funding period is uncertain due ‘local fiscal constraints, ‘Applicant: Micronesia sethelp Project Networks proposed for Guam by MICRONESIA SELF-HELP HOUSING CORPORATION are “Open Access Networks’. MICRONESIA SELF-HELP HOUSING CORPORATION believes that access to high-speed broadband should not be limited toa select few, but should be equally avaliable to everyone, from Individual homes ina rural seting to major corporations. Government of Guam Comment Based on the executive summary provided bythe applicant, this application wil include the iter loops and meet.me point inthe fst two priority areas above. Ths fiber loop will provide backbone connectivity fora number of stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. This infrastructure has ‘the potential to stimulate the local broadband industry ast could lower investment costs for potential broadband providers. Public sector stakeholders ~ Police Fire, School, Libraries, Senor Citizen Centers, ‘and Public Health Providers, would benefit from the dark fiber that would be set aside for govesnment Continued sustaiabiity willbe based on a co-op model whereby the infastructure willbe support by sage fees pa by users ofthe infrastructure, Should this projec be funded, technology specifications should be subject to Government of Guam review approval Applicant TEE Project Developing the infrastructure for longterm and increased service support. Government of Guam Comment Based on the executive summary provided bythe apliant, his application wil include wireless lst rile middle mile components that can serve asa backbone fora number of stakeholders as defined‘under BTOP/BIP. This could meet the frst two priority areas defined above albeit ona wireless infrastructure as opposed to one built on fiber. Continued sustainability willbe based on a proi-based model. Should this project be funded, technology specifations should be subject to Government of Guam approval