CONNECT NM News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Nearly 3,000 locations, including homes, businesses, and farms in Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg, now have access to high-speed fiber internet, following the completion of a broadband infrastructure project funded by the state’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE).

The project was completed ahead of schedule and under its $14.5 million total budget.

“I am so pleased that the days of sporadic and unreliable internet service seem to be over. I have already received calls of improved service, fewer outages, and better affordability,” Truth or Consequences Mayor Rolf Hechler said. “This has been great for our community.”

“These connections demonstrate New Mexico’s commitment to provide reliable and sustainable connectivity to Sierra County and to all communities across the state,” Jeff Lopez, director of OBAE said. “The completion of this project means more New Mexico families and businesses will receive this vital infrastructure, enabling them to access telehealth, education, economic development and other opportunities.”

OBAE awarded New Mexico-based Ethos Broadband an $8.5 million grant through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund to build nearly 50 miles of fiber in Truth or Consequences.

The project will connect 2,932 unserved and underserved locations, including:

• 2,758 homes;
• 137 businesses;
• 3 farms; and
• 34 community anchor institutions, including hospitals, public buildings, and schools.

“We are thrilled to announce that our state-of-the-art fiber network in T or C is now fully operational and ready to serve the community,” said General Manager Nectarios “Neo” Nicolaou of Ethos Broadband. “Residents will now have access to incredibly fast internet speeds—up to 8 gigabits per second—delivered straight to their homes. Our dedication to providing exceptional speeds, competitive pricing, and dependable service remains at the core of everything we do, and we are proud to see these commitments come to life.”

With the construction finished, residents and businesses in Sierra County can now sign up for high-speed internet.

Because the project came in under budget, OBAE coordinated with Ethos Broadband and the New Mexico Spaceport Authority Board of Directors to use the remaining funding to build a fiber extension line to Spaceport America, 20 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences. That second phase of the project is expected to be finished later this year.

Ethos Broadband is also expanding connectivity elsewhere in Sierra County through a separate $2 million Community Connect Grant from OBAE, which will fund public Wi-Fi service in Elephant Butte and at Caballo Lake State Park.

New Mexico received $117 million in broadband grants through ARPA, awarded through the U.S. Treasury, to expand service to unserved and underserved communities. OBAE is overseeing 21 broadband projects through this funding.

OBAE says broadband funding and project commitments will be in place for 100 percent connectivity by the end of 2026.

To see all ongoing and completed broadband projects, visit maps.connect.nm.gov.