$675M Broadband Project in New Mexico to Connect Over 31,000 Locations

New Mexico’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion has received approval to move forward with a major project aimed at expanding broadband service across the state. The initiative will use $675 million in federal grants to connect over 31,000 unserved and underserved locations, helping bridge the digital divide in both urban and rural areas.

According to a press release from the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, the funding will be used to build and expand broadband infrastructure, focusing on areas that have limited or no internet access. Drew Lovelace, acting director of the office, expressed excitement over the project’s potential to bring reliable broadband connectivity to New Mexicans.

On Tuesday, the federal government approved the results of the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) project, allowing the office to publish a map of areas where service providers can apply for funding. The project will primarily focus on deploying fiber-optic internet to communities designated as “unserved” or “underserved” under federal guidelines. For example, about 95% of Santa Fe County is already served, according to the state’s broadband mapping tool.

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With approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the state will begin a competitive selection process for grant applicants. Qualified internet service providers, tribal entities, nonprofits, cooperatives, and other organizations will be eligible to apply for the funding. The formal application process will open on January 3.

By 2029, the project aims to connect all unserved communities in New Mexico to high-speed internet, enabling residents to access vital online services. Lovelace emphasized that while the project’s timeline spans several years, progress is being made to ensure internet access reaches remote areas across the state.

New Mexico is now the 25th state to receive approval from the NTIA for its broadband expansion efforts, marking a significant step forward in connecting underserved communities nationwide.