DBEDT Seeks Broadband Infrastructure Service Partners

Photo by Wendy Osher.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is working to increase the Hawai‘i’s broadband capacity and speeds to meet the state’s growing needs.

As part of the state’s overall growth strategy, DBEDT is leading an initiative to make landing a new transpacific fiber optic cable in Hawai‘i more accessible than options that are currently available.

These transpacific fiber optic cables are the state’s connection to the rest of the world.

To aid in this effort, the department has issued a Request for Proposal for structuring services to create a broadband infrastructure public-private partnership. The RFP seeks assistance in working with the private sector to procure, finance and/or operate a state-sponsored carrier neutral landing station(s) to best leverage $25 million of reimbursable general obligation bond funding through a public-private partnership.

“Our innovation initiatives require boosting our overall broadband capacity, which will help to stimulate the tech sector and our local economy,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “By investing in our broadband infrastructure, we will attract high-tech companies to Hawaii, help our electric utilities transition to next-generation technologies and ensure our business community remains globally competitive.”

The solicitation is available on the State Procurement Office website.

Proposals in response to the RFP are due May 18, with registration and written inquires accepted until April 21.

DBEDT encourages all interested parties to register with Susan Gray-Ellis at [email protected]. The registration email must include the name of company, mailing address, name of contact person, telephone number and email address. When registering, reference RFP-16-018-HBI.