During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority began the process of obtaining a federal license; it also began surveying in preparation for the ‘O3b’ satellite connectivity as well as moving forward with cable connection to the Manu’a island group, part of the federally funded “BLAST” project.

These are some of the developments for the government owned entity outlined in its 4th quarter performance report — covering July 1 to Sept. 30, 2013 — the last quarter of FY 2013.  ASTCA also reported a savings of $550,347 at the end of the fiscal year.

ASTCA’s FY 2013 budget was $15 million but at the end of the fiscal year, revenues collected reached $16.43 million (or $16,433,777) while expenditures were at $16.37 million (or $16,373,349). ASTCA does not receive any ASG subsidy so all its operations are funded by the revenue it collects.

For expenditures, the largest amount  ($9.68 million) is in the “All Others” budget category followed by personnel at $3.38 million. Specific data on spending and revenues are to be included in ASTCA’s annual financial statement, which undergoes an audit before it's publicly released some time next year. 

O3b PROJECT

In January this year, ASTCA signed an agreement with O3b Networks to provide up to 1.2Gbps of future broadband connectivity for Internet and other services for American Samoa. O3b took over control and operation of the satellites from their manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space, in August this year.

During the 4th quarter, ASTCA said it began the process of obtaining a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) license, as well as surveying and finalizing the foundation plans for antennas, and conducting radiation studies for the O3b satellite connectivity.

These new satellites will offer future broadband connectivity up to 1.2Gbps for internet and other data services using a middle earth orbit constellation of satellites at speeds and performances “comparable to undersea fiber optic cable, it says.

Speaking on KVZK-TV last Friday, ASTCA executive director Moefaauo Bill Emmesley acknowledged their internet connection service is slow and “that’s because we’re saturated right now. So we are looking for additional bandwidth”.

“...We’re working with several outside sources to increase that bandwidth including the implementation of the... O3b, which is another project that we are working on, that will add  additional capacity that will certainly improve the reliability as well as the capacity and the speed of the internet,” he said.

‘BLAST’ PROJECT

During the 4th quarter, ASTCA said, the submarine cable team from a company called ITT arrived on island to survey the “undersea” cable route to Manu’a and Aunu’u for the Broadband Linking the American Samoa Territory (BLAST), according to the performance report.

It also says the subsequent laying of the cable to Manu’a and Aunu’u is expected to be carried out in May next year after the cable is manufactured to specifications. Additionally, the company that will conduct drilling for the ‘underground’ fiber optic cable throughout Tutuila has also arrived to start their part of the work, which is scheduled to start this month.

Moreover, ASTCA has assembled a team to travel to Manu’a to begin construction work for the building that will house the radio equipment for microwave on Ta’u Island in Manu’a that will link up to the tower at Olotele on Tutuila.

According to ASTCA, this work should be completed before the end of December 2014.

MISCELLANEOUS

Aside from the BLAST project, which is getting $90 million through a combination of loan and grant money from the federal stimulus program, all capital improvement projects are funded from ASTCA- generated revenues, the report says.

At the end of the 4th quarter, ASTCA said it already obligated $3 million in systems upgrades and capital improvement projects, which were all funded by revenues it has collected.

According to the authority, it is seeking — for the time being — to be considered under the ASG Capital Improvement Project funds.