Broadband Access

The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 93% of U.S. residents have access to high speed internet. But that could be overstated. According to a new report by the Urban Institute, rural and Native American communities continue to face barriers to broadband access.

The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has announced over $900 million in investments towards broadband infrastructure, with the help of both federal and state support.

The state of New Mexico announced Friday that the federal government has greenlit its plan for how to spend $675 million in federal funds to expand high-speed internet across the state. The approval means the state can now launch a local grant program.

Many New Mexicans have relied on a federal program for affordable internet access for the past few years. That money is likely about to dry up.

A national non-profit organization is launching a program that would provide free broadband internet to apartment buildings both on the national and state level.

Santo Domingo Pueblo created their own broadband tower during the pandemic with the aim of bringing internet to over 700 homes in the pueblo.

President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new round of funding Monday to support rural high-speed internet.

This week the U.S. Agriculture secretary visited New Mexico to announce $40 million in grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand broadband in the state. A portion of that will help Native American communities, especially schools.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited New Mexico on Monday, where he announced that the department will be investing $40 million to provide high-speed internet access in rural areas of New Mexico. This has the potential to connect many communities for the first time.

The White House and U.S. Treasury have announced yet another round of funding to expand internet access in New Mexico and Colorado’s tribal and rural communities.