New Mexico Seeks Public Input on Broadband Standard
The state's broadband office is gathering feedback on a Minimum Digital Living Standard before the comment period closes December 9.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Telecommunications
Live Poll
Is internet access in your community good enough for daily life today?
New Mexico's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is soliciting public comment to help define a Minimum Digital Living Standard covering internet service, equipment, digital literacy, privacy, and safety. Separately, the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program will provide up to $10 million for low-income broadband service beginning in December.
Why it matters
Internet access is a catalyst for education, healthcare, and economic development, particularly in remote communities across New Mexico. Public feedback will shape the office's future programs and any potential legislation.
New Mexico has received $382 million in federal BEAD funding, measured against an FCC high-speed benchmark of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, with about 10% of addresses designated underserved or unserved in 2024. The state has not yet received instructions on spending the additional $293 million in nondeployment funds.
The players
New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
The state office responsible for expanding broadband access across New Mexico, which is soliciting public feedback to shape its future programs and legislation.
Federal Communications Commission
The federal agency that sets the high-speed internet benchmark of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload and designated underserved areas in New Mexico in 2024.
The details
The state broadband office is using a request for information to collect public feedback on the Minimum Digital Living Standard, which assesses basic needs for internet service, equipment, digital literacy, privacy, and safety. State lawmakers established the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program earlier this year, and it will begin providing support in December.
Timeline
December 2026: The Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program begins providing support.
December 9, 2026: The public comment period on the Minimum Digital Living Standard closes.
October 2026: The state broadband office published a progress report on 94% broadband adequacy.
End of 2026: New Mexico is expected to reach 94% broadband adequacy.
Roadmap
New Mexico's $382 million in BEAD funding under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program sets the framework for its connectivity push. The state's current effort to define a Minimum Digital Living Standard extends that framework by adding digital literacy and privacy criteria beyond basic infrastructure.
Low-income New Mexico households may qualify for up to $10 million in assistance for broadband service starting in December. Residents can also submit feedback during the comment period to influence what digital access standards the state adopts.
The takeaway
Access to the internet now includes equipment, digital skills, privacy, and safety, not just a connection. Residents who want to shape those standards have until December 9 to weigh in.
What happens next
The public comment period on the Minimum Digital Living Standard closes December 9, 2026, and the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program begins support in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on how states are closing connectivity gaps, see Telecommunications coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Searchlight New Mexico.
Live Poll
Is internet access in your community good enough for daily life today?
