E-rate Wiring Project takes off

The community witnessed a $1.17-million technological investment take off yesterday as the Public School System and Verizon Pacifica officially signaled the beginning of a project that will wire 17 public schools with latest advancements in fiber optic technology.

The groundbreaking ceremony held at the Garapan Elementary School celebrated the start of Year 4 of the E-rate Communications Wiring System Project, which upon completion will enable wired schools to have unlimited access to information and distance learning opportunities.

Verizon acting General Manager Anthony S. Mosley explained to a crowd of PSS, Verizon, community leaders and guests yesterday the scope of the million-dollar investment.

“Verizon is undertaking a 17-school wiring project, which includes the latest advancements in fiber optic technology. [The infrastructure] provides bandwidth and access to information for everyone in the 17 schools,” Mosley told the audience.

“This wiring and access to information will make a great many things possible. It will be possible for our young people in the CNMI to communicate with other young people anywhere in the connected planet,” he added.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, PSS E-rate Consultant Dr. Norman Okamura took several moments to retrace the grueling processes that paved the way for PSS to finally reach Year 4 of the technology project.

“Look at the network that’s in place today. I see fiber optics in each of the schools. T1 links to the neighbor islands, Internet access to the schools, and with this project, the technology and capability moves directly out into the classrooms. video, voice, data—all of those capabilities. And it’s all very exciting,” said the University of Hawaii at Manoa-based consultant.

“This groundbreaking is literally for a project that will virtually make a physical infrastructure [from the cables] to the classrooms. and as everyone else has said, this has been a team effort,” Okamura acknowledged.

Mosley, during his address, also underscored on the groundbreaking ceremony’s historical significance: “This kick-off of the E-rate project should send a very strong message to the next generation. It says that we support your dreams, support your goals and ambitions. And we want to make them a reality.”

Board of Education Chair Herman T. Guerrero, as well as, Acting Governor Diego T. Benavente also shared their sentiments regarding the monumental project, both admiring the efforts of the PSS team and its E-rate partners.

“The benefits [brought about by the E-rate technology] are tremendous educational advantages. The significance of groundbreaking ceremony is very symbolic. It represents the beginning of a long, and prosperous trend of education in the CNMI,” Guerrero said.

Yesterday’s program speakers took time to recognize the individuals who made it possible for the CNMI to enjoy the benefits of the E-rate assistance from the US Schools and Libraries Division.

Among the names mentioned were Jim Bannen of the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, Education Commissioner Dr. Rita H. Inos and members of the PSS E-rate team: Mark Savares, Cathy Salas, Nic Sablan and Louise Concepcion.

Okamura also made special mention of Maggie Sablan, as well as, the Verizon team.