Broadband expansion is no high-speed fix

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is broadband. One in five New Mexicans don’t have reliable high-speed internet at a time when such technology is a necessity, not a luxury. It’s imperative that constituents, households, businesses and other entities have broadband that delivers telehealth, distance learning, government services, job creation, economic growth and other vital services. Throughout New Mexico—particularly in rural areas and the 23 tribal communities—lack of accessible and reliable internet continues to hinder people from getting online. That’s why the state Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) exists: to help close that digital divide by funding broadband deployment to internet-dry regions and to expand broadband to all New Mexicans. But it takes time. Administrative and legal hurdles slow down the process. OBAE wants broadband built quickly and efficiently too, and we continue to work hard to bring broadband to New Mexicans who need connectivity. But we can’t cheat time.

[Andrew Wilder is the BEAD Coordinator at the NM Office of Broadband Access and Expansion]