Broadband Expansion Projects
The county launched the “Need for Speed” campaign, encouraging residents to participate in internet speed tests. The collected data helped identify areas with inadequate service, supporting applications for state and federal broadband funding. This robust public engagement process encouraged multiple Internet Service Providers to apply for and win funding to expand and improve broadband service throughout the county.
The County secured a $99,000 grant to enhance its capacity for broadband planning, engineering, and grant writing. This funding aims to facilitate the development of public-private partnerships and prepare the county for future broadband infrastructure opportunities.
There are multiple broadband grants funded with construction underway:
Valley TeleCom Group is spearheading a $5.7 million project to install 49 miles of fiber-optic cable, targeting 822 households in and around Columbus. The project aims to replace outdated DSL infrastructure, providing fiber to premise (FTP) high-speed internet to areas including the Sunshine Valley Ranchettes and regions south of Deming.
Resound Networks has been awarded over $10 million by the FCC to deliver broadband services to 2,497 rural homes and businesses in the county. This is part of a broader initiative to enhance internet connectivity in underserved areas.
WNM Communications received a $24.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to construct fiber-optic networks. This project aims to provide high-speed internet access to rural communities, with a projected completion date.
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) allocated $2.5 million to the Mycelia Foundation, in partnership with Deming Public Schools, to connect up to 650 student households in Luna County. This initiative focuses on establishing fixed wireless broadband to support students, providing free Internet for 3 years to eligible households.
Collectively, these initiatives represent a concerted effort to enhance digital infrastructure in Luna County, aiming to provide residents with the connectivity essential for modern life.