Broadband
New Mexico Broadband Program
NOTICE: The NM Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) wants to facilitate the deployment of a “Statewide Open Access Middle Mile Network”. The OBAE is issuing an Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from broadband providers, local governments, tribal communities and state agencies to assist in developing a comprehensive strategy for network funding, design, and administration. This will facilitate future plans and allow last mile providers to convey their middle mile needs. For a copy of the RFI click here.
To better coordinate broadband deployment efforts among different state entities, 2021 Legislation established the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and Connect New Mexico Council.
The Broadband Access and Expansion Act (Senate Bill 93) created the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, which is administratively attached to DoIT for budget and expenditure oversight.
The Connect New Mexico Act (House Bill 10) created the Connect New Mexico Fund, which received appropriations totaling $100 million (Senate Bill 377).
Connect New Mexico Pilot Program
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is hosting office hours for those seeking assistance regarding eligibility requirements, the application process, the evaluation framework, and post-award obligations relating to the Connect New Mexico Pilot Project Wave 3 Grant Application Process. Please find the schedule of office hours along with a zoom link below.
Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Wave 3 Applications Office Hours
Time: Mar 9, 2023 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Thu, until Apr 6, 2023, 5 occurrence(s)
Mar 9, 2023 12:00 PM
Mar 16, 2023 12:00 PM
Mar 23, 2023 12:00 PM
Mar 30, 2023 12:00 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84855170194?pwd=K3N5eG50THZMRTgydDJDWHd4TFVQZz09
Meeting ID: 848 5517 0194
Passcode: 300232
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Meeting ID: 848 5517 0194
Passcode: 300232
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcUTxmxn75
Connect New Mexico Council
The Connect New Mexico Council meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2:00pm MT. The next virtual meeting will be Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
To subscribe to receive e-mail notification of Council news and events, including public meeting schedules, join the NM-DoIT Subscriber Alerts mailing list. The subscriber page will ask for phone numbers and other information. Because the Council will only send notices by e-mail, and will not use phone, text messaging or faxing, you do not need to provide a phone or fax number.
Statewide Projects
Mapping
- Acquiring customer and service area data twice yearly from each of the broadband telecommunication providers in New Mexico. These data are used to produce a Web map of areas being serviced by broadband and by which technologies. This map is updated after each data cycle.
- Collecting Community Anchor Institution data, including potential and existing broadband sites within New Mexico, to support CASA (Community Anchor Site Assessment).
Planning
- Creating a “New Mexico Broadband Adoption Model” that, coupled with the availability mapping, we use to engage other broadband funded projects and the broadband providers within New Mexico and to develop opportunities for integration and collaboration in the areas of construction, education, marketing, and socio-economic analysis, with an emphasis on enhancing adoption. This is accomplished through:
- Use of the adoption model.
- Deployment of online surveys to collect information about community anchor institutions.
- Hosting seminars throughout the state.
Capacity Building
- Forming a statewide Collaborative Committee, together with Working Groups that represent various “use sectors” (Business, Education, TeleHealth, Native Nations, etc.). These groups form a core component to a number of conferences and focus forums to identify gaps, clarify issues, and provide “action” items toward solutions (legislation, funding, construction, regulation, etc.). All of these efforts will be incorporated into the New Mexico Broadband Strategic Master Plan.
- Creating a Municipal/Tribal Broadband Master Planning Guide to assist tribal and local governments in the planning and implementation of broadband within their communities.
- Developing Crowd Sourcing technology to facilitate the update and maintenance of CASA, DLR (Digital Literacy Resource; see below), provider data, broadband availability, and other data needing periodic updates.
Other Assistance
- Developing a Digital Literacy Resource (DLR) to marry the state’s facilities, content, and instructors to support the public in identifying educational opportunities within their communities.
- Conducting a Native Lands Data Acquisition Pilot with a selection of tribes to support telecommunication customer locales, enhance emergency service deployment, and provide education opportunities including Digital Literacy for Beginners and Businesses.