New Mexico is preparing to bring public Wi-Fi to more communities through a new state program backed by nearly $6 million in federal funding. The state’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced the New Mexico Community Wi-Fi Digital Connectivity Technology Project, which aims to deploy and expand public Wi-Fi in local areas lacking reliable connectivity.
The program draws on $5,993,281 from the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund, money made available through the U.S. Treasury Department. According to the announcement, only local and county governments and state agencies are eligible to apply, and no matching funds are required.
Public entities receiving funding will partner with the OBAE to build Wi-Fi projects in New Mexico communities that lack adequate internet access and face barriers to digital inclusion. Approved projects must deliver broadband service of at least 100/20 Mbps, and each participant must either have a cybersecurity risk management plan already in place or be prepared to implement one before service launches.
The OBAE said it would accept applications through July 15, 2026, with all projects required to be completed by December 31, 2026. Funding for the program expires at the end of the year, and the office said it would prioritize applicants with the greatest demonstrated need and a realistic timeline for quick completion.
Andrew Wilder, OBAE policy and programs bureau chief, said funding for Wi-Fi programs was another step toward closing the digital divide in New Mexico. He noted that local governments and agencies could use the program to provide public broadband access to support communication during emergencies.
The new effort builds on the broadband office’s earlier work. In October 2025, the OBAE established a separate Community Connect Grant Program to expand public Wi-Fi throughout New Mexico. That program has awarded roughly $7 million to seven recipients.
One of those grants supported the Department of Cultural Affairs in establishing free Wi-Fi connectivity at locations ranging from the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque to the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner. Together, the programs reflect a broader push by the state to extend broadband access to underserved communities.
More information about New Mexico broadband, including links to state funding resources, grants made, BEAD news, state-specific Telecompetitor coverage, and more, can be found on Telecompetitor’s Broadband Nation webpage for the state.
