American Samoa Tele Communications Authority (ASTCA) officials have met with Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga in Hawai’i regarding the interconnectivity memorandum they have presented to Bluesky Communications, and the meeting was confirmed by ASTCA Board Chairman Roy Hall Jr.

According to the chairman, he and ASCTA CEO Bill Emmsley, along with ASTCA’s legal counsel Gwen Langkilde flew to Honolulu over the weekend to brief and update the governor on the ongoing negotiations for an MOU with Bluesky. “The MOU will set the foundation for entering into an Interconnectivity Agreement between ASTCA and Bluesky. “ASTCA and Bluesky have exchanged MOUs and it is my opinion that we may be close to finalizing a MOU,” he said.

Hall said Governor Lolo emphasized that his government's position is to work with the private sector and to encourage economic development and he supports ASTCA and Bluesky entering into an interconnectivity agreement that will be in compliance with local and federal laws.

“Also, that the interconnectivity agreement in the future will provide security to our telecommunication systems and provide fair and reasonable rates for the people of American Samoa.” Hall told Samoa News. The governor stated that ASTCA's role is to provide the necessary infrastructure to any qualified telecommunication providers as defined by local and federal laws.

“ASTCA recognizes that Bluesky is the only other information and telecommunication provider of cellular, internet services and cable TV in American Samoa.”

“As Chairman of ASTCA, I have always sought interconnectivity with Bluesky, because it is the right thing to do for the people of American Samoa. “My concerns are that we ensure that any costs to implement the interconnection be equitably shared, that the rates to the customers be fair and reasonable and that we ensure the security of both systems,” said Hall.

Bluesky Country Manager Lewis Wolman told Samoa News they were scheduled to meet with Lt Governor Lemanu yesterday to discuss the interconnectivity MOU and this will be their third meeting in three weeks on this matter.

Wolman said “Bluesky looks forward to negotiating an Interconnection Agreement with ASTCA that complies with local and federal law, and provides everyone in American Samoa with more and better options for telecommunication services, including voice, data, internet and cable television.’

“American Samoa is fortunate to have leaders who place ‘people first’ and are tireless in their efforts to ensure that the private and public sectors work together to serve the people,” said Wolman.

OTHER ASTCA NEWS

Cellular system upgrade, the BLAST project and DOE’s ERATE were among the issues discussed in the ASTCA board meeting in March, according to the minutes of the meeting.

Hall, in response to Samoa News queries, stated earlier this week that the cellular phone system had a major software upgrade, and at the last board meeting, it appeared that there were still “glitches in the system that need to be addressed.”

Regarding the BLAST project, according to the minutes of the meeting, the overall rating is at 46% completion. There is a hold-up with ASPA making ready which only ASPA crews can do, there’s splicing wire taking place in Satala, and the Michels Company continues drilling and pulling cable. The undersea survey is complete and awaiting final report, with the under sea cable now being manufactured.

The  Manu’a microwave radio link is being ordered and the tower construction at Olotele is complete.  Crews are to begin construction of buildings to house equipment there.

According to the minutes, DOE owes $900,00 to ASTCA for the E-rate. The Chairman told Samoa News that E-rate requires that DOE file proper reports to the grantor and these reports have caused the delay in the payments.

“We are receiving payments, but most of the bulk of the outstanding amount owed ($900,000) was passed on from the last administration.”