By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
Recently in Palau, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Regional Director for the Indo-Pacific, Verinda Fike, signed an agreement with the Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC).
This agreement, Cyber Era NG learns, grants additional funds to expand USTDA’s support for upgrading PNCC’s mobile communications network.
The funding, sourced from the US CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, will provide PNCC with technical advisory assistance to evaluate proposals for the first commercial deployment of 5G and Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) in the Pacific Islands.
Stated PNCC: “We are proud to announce that Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) has received additional grant funding from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to support our ongoing efforts in modernizing Palau’s telecommunications network. This funding, made possible through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, will provide critical training and technical advisory support as we progress towards vendor selection and deployment of the first commercial 4G/5G Standalone Open RAN network in Oceania.
“We want to express our sincere gratitude to US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Regional Director Verinda Fike for their invaluable support in advancing our vision for a more connected Palau. These grant funds will enable our consulting partner, Widelity, Inc., to assist us with technical advisory support throughout the procurement phase, ensuring world-class standards as we evaluate the highly competitive bids received to our Mobile Network Modernisation RFP which closed on August 15.
“The deployment of this advanced 4G/5G Open RAN network represents a significant milestone not only for Palau but for our region as a whole. It will provide our customers with enhanced connectivity, better service quality, and the myriad of opportunities that come with a robust, future-ready network infrastructure. This is not just about infrastructure; this is about changing lives—bringing people closer together, creating opportunities, and empowering our community with the tools needed for growth and progress.”
