Eleven New Mexico telephone companies and internet providers have joined together to form the New Mexico Fiber Network, LLC to build a broadband network across the state. The company’s formation comes as federal and state agencies gear up to distribute grants under The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD Program), established by the Infrastructure Law, according to John Badal, CEO of Sacred Wind Communications, Inc.
“The state fiber broadband network is crucial to providing middle mile and broadband access to all areas of New Mexico,” Badal said. The BEAD Program appropriates $42.45 billion for broadband deployment, mapping, and adoption projects. Each state, D.C., and P.R. will receive an initial allocation of $100 million.
The New Mexico Broadband Initiative Consortium initiated the effort to develop a state broadband roadmap at the request of the Governor’s office. The result was a group of Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers who came together to create the new fiber network, which will provide a foundation to address the digital divide within New Mexico.
“NM Fiber Network and current owner-member fiber systems span thousands of miles across New Mexico and are well-positioned to enable the expansion and extension of New Mexico middle-mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas,” said Josh Beug, General Manager, Tularosa Basin Telephone Cooperative.
The New Mexico Fiber Network will partner with INDATEL, a nationwide fiber optic network in rural and metropolitan areas that has connections to more than 30 other statewide networks and more than 700 rural independent telephone providers.
“By joining together, we will be able to harness our combined and complementary assets to attain statewide scale and promote broadband deployment,” said Glenn Lovelace, CEO of Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative and Chairman of NM Fiber Network. The network will collaborate with the Connect NM Council, State Education Network, Tribal fiber networks, the New Mexico Exchange Carrier Group, and related departments within the state.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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