Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced that it has awarded a grant to Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) internet service provider iSolutions Micronesia Ltd (iSolutions) for a feasibility study and pilot project to expand affordable wireless broadband in FSM’s underserved communities. iSolutions selected California-based technology provider Ukama, Inc. (Ukama) to carry out the assistance, which will include a plan for expanding the company’s broadband technology to other Pacific Island nations.
“This grant furthers USTDA’s commitment to increasing access to affordable and secure digital infrastructure in underserved communities across the Pacific Islands,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This project is an exciting opportunity to expand our digital portfolio in the Pacific Islands and demonstrate the effectiveness of U.S. solutions for eventual region-wide deployment.”
FSM includes more than 600 islands dispersed over more than 1,000,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean, creating significant logistical challenges for connectivity in remote areas. USTDA’s study will assess the viability of expanding wireless broadband using Ukama’s solar-powered modular long-term evolution (LTE) technology in multiple sites that currently rely on slow, expensive, or unreliable internet. The pilot project is expected to reach 1,000 customers, with plans to eventually scale coverage for up to 50,000 people. The study will also develop an implementation plan to deploy the technology and provide coverage for up to three million people in Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
“With the invaluable support of USTDA, our initiative seeks to bridge the digital and geographical divides by bringing sustainable connectivity and transportation telemetry to Micronesia’s remote communities,” said Minoru TR Mori, Founder and CEO of iSolutions. “This partnership signifies a collective commitment to enhancing the lives of those in the Federated States of Micronesia and sets a precedent for transformative change across the entire Pacific region.”
U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia Jennifer Johnson said: “The United States works closely with the national and state governments of FSM to assist people living in FSM’s outer islands. The partnership between Ukama and iSolutions, supported by USTDA, will explore an exciting potential solution to the serious connectivity challenges there and allow greater development through telehealth, virtual education, remote work opportunities, and more.”
Jamie Yang, COO of Ukama, said: “Ukama is excited to partner with iSolutions and USTDA to pilot its decentralized cellular internet networks in Micronesia. We are committed to bringing the hardest-to-reach communities online and enable universal internet access and look forward to demonstrating that our technology is well-suited for this region.”
USTDA’s study advances the goals of Biden-Harris priorities such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, and the Administration’s USTDA-led Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Project Preparation Facility.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov