Free Wi-Fi service for entire Guam eyed

Senators are trying to lay the foundation for making free internet or wi-fi service readily accessible to anyone on Guam.

Sen. Dennis Rodriguez, along with Sens. Tommy Morrison and Wil Castro, introduced on late Tuesday afternoon Bill 276-34, which seeks to get input from companies on what models for providing "free public wi-fi might be successful" on Guam.

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"With an island-wide wi-fi system in place, it can improve our education both in schools and online, enhance our emergency response system, upgrade our public safety and infrastructure systems, and drive economic growth," Rodriguez, main author of the bill, said in a statement.

Rodriguez is running for governor this coming election and Castro is seeking re-election as a senator.

Develop, publish request for information

The bill seeks to direct the Guam Economic Development Authority, in collaboration with the Office of Technology, to develop and publish a request for information on how an interested contractor, internet service provider or operator would design a municipal wi-fi service to provide internet access to the entire island of Guam.

GEDA has up to 60 days, upon enactment of the bill into law, to develop and publish the request for information.

The agency will have up to 30 days to compile the submissions, and then transmit those to the governor and the Legislature, the bill says.

Essential utility of 21st century

Overall, Bill 276-34 is in response to the internet becoming an essential utility of the 21st century, according to Rodriguez, chairman of the legislative committee on tourism.

The bill says it would be interesting to learn how companies would provide wi-fi service at low or no cost to Guam and enter into a public-private partnership that would blanket the entire island with internet access.

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Reporter Haidee Eugenio covers Guam's Catholic church issues, education, government, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio. Follow Pacific Daily News on Facebook/GuamPDN and Instagram @guampdn.