Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment
01/13/2025 - Update to BEAD-eligible BSLs; OBAE Extends Deadline for Round One BEAD Applications
Since the conclusion of the Challenge Process, the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has issued several grants under the Connect New Mexico Fund and identified other new enforceable commitments, enforceable commitments that have defaulted, and enforceable commitments lacking Tribal consent. Those enforceable commitments are listed in the attached spreadsheet.
Following guidance from NTIA, OBAE initially deduplicated this new grant information from the Challenge Process results before opening the BEAD application portal. The updated Broadband Serviceable Location (BSL) list was published on January 3, coinciding with the portal’s launch.
However, on January 3, NTIA changed their guidance and directed OBAE to resubmit the Challenge Process results, incorporating the new grant information, for further review and approval. OBAE is complying with this guidance, and accordingly we want to inform applicants that the current BSL list remains provisional. We encourage BEAD applicants to continue preparing their applications, especially those applicants applying to regions not impacted by any of the listed enforceable commitments. We will continue to share updates and will publish the final, approved BSLs for BEAD as soon as NTIA approves them.
Given this development, OBAE is extending the submission deadline for Round One of the NM BEAD program to Monday, March 3, 2025.
Following guidance from NTIA, OBAE initially deduplicated this new grant information from the Challenge Process results before opening the BEAD application portal. The updated Broadband Serviceable Location (BSL) list was published on January 3, coinciding with the portal’s launch.
However, on January 3, NTIA changed their guidance and directed OBAE to resubmit the Challenge Process results, incorporating the new grant information, for further review and approval. OBAE is complying with this guidance, and accordingly we want to inform applicants that the current BSL list remains provisional. We encourage BEAD applicants to continue preparing their applications, especially those applicants applying to regions not impacted by any of the listed enforceable commitments. We will continue to share updates and will publish the final, approved BSLs for BEAD as soon as NTIA approves them.
Given this development, OBAE is extending the submission deadline for Round One of the NM BEAD program to Monday, March 3, 2025.
12/13/2024 - NTIA Approves NM Challenge Process Results; OBAE Publishes Final Project Area Units
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NTIA has approved the results of the New Mexico BEAD Challenge Process, enabling OBAE to publish the post-challenge BSL data and the final Project Area Units (PAUs) for BEAD.
The Challenge Process results will soon be published on the Challenge Portal and OBAE Mapping & Data Hub. Post-challenge BSLs may be downloaded by clicking the button to the left. However, in the time since the Challenge Process has ended, OBAE has issued several grants under the Connect New Mexico Fund and has been made aware of other new enforceable commitments and defaults. OBAE is currently in the process of deduplicating the Challenge Process Results using this new grant information. Once this step is complete, OBAE will publish the final map of BEAD-eligible locations to the Mapping & Data Hub and make the final BEAD-eligible BSL data available for download. Additionally, OBAE is publishing the final Project Area Units (PAUs) for BEAD. The final PAUs come after OBAE made extensive changes based on responses to the Request for Comment on the draft PAUs. The result is a greater number of PAUs that better reflect existing network infrastructure. You can view or download the final map of PAUs on the OBAE Mapping & Data Hub. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS Archive
12/06/2024 - BEAD NOFO Published
OBAE has released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application for the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. This marks the next step in the distribution of $675 million in federal funding to award state-issued grants for broadband infrastructure across the state.
With the release of the NOFO, prequalified applicants can now begin preparing their formal applications for BEAD funding. OBAE tentatively plans to begin accepting applications in early January 2025 and will release additional supplementary materials in the coming weeks, pending NTIA approval.
The NOFO sets forth the policies and procedures OBAE will follow to select recipients of BEAD funding from among the pool of prequalified applicants. Only prequalified applicants are eligible to apply for BEAD funding. OBAE has been accepting Prequalification Applications since September 16, 2024, and those applications close November 15, 2024, at 11:59pm.
Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities that were successfully prequalified are eligible to apply for BEAD funding.
OBAE has released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application for the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. This marks the next step in the distribution of $675 million in federal funding to award state-issued grants for broadband infrastructure across the state.
With the release of the NOFO, prequalified applicants can now begin preparing their formal applications for BEAD funding. OBAE tentatively plans to begin accepting applications in early January 2025 and will release additional supplementary materials in the coming weeks, pending NTIA approval.
The NOFO sets forth the policies and procedures OBAE will follow to select recipients of BEAD funding from among the pool of prequalified applicants. Only prequalified applicants are eligible to apply for BEAD funding. OBAE has been accepting Prequalification Applications since September 16, 2024, and those applications close November 15, 2024, at 11:59pm.
Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities that were successfully prequalified are eligible to apply for BEAD funding.
11/08/2024 Reminder - Deadline a Week Away to Submit BEAD Prequalification Applications
Time is running out! If you intend to apply for broadband deployment funding through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, you have just a week. The deadline to submit Prequalification Applications is next Friday, November 15.Prospective applicants must submit a Prequalification Application to apply for BEAD
funding. For more information about BEAD, state and federal requirements and the prequalification process, CLICK HERE. New Mexico was allocated $675 million for the BEAD program. OBAE also tentatively plans to release funding information and application materials on November 15 and to begin accepting applications in early 2025. Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities are eligible to apply for BEAD funding. BEAD is the state’s largest funding program to deploy broadband infrastructure. These Prequalification Applications will help the state determine whether an entity has the technical capability and financial stability to deploy broadband and meet federal and state requirements. OBAE will decide whether an entity can move forward with a formal application by using the following criteria:
Financial capabilities
Managerial capabilities Technical capabilities
Legal and regulatory compliance Operational capabilities Ownership
Stewardship of other public funding
Once Prequalification Applications are evaluated and approved, entities will then formally apply for their suggested broadband projects based on broadband-dry areas. Both the state and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration must approve the final applications.
If you have any questions, please contact OBAE at: [email protected]
10/24/2024 BEAD Prequalification Deadline Extended to November 15
OBAE has extended the deadline to submit Prequalification Applications to November 15.The original deadline was November 1. OBAE has decided to allow more time to apply for Prequalification Applications because it’s still finalizing the list of eligible serviceable locations for broadband with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). That process will help ensure that other federal funding programs are accurately accounted for to avoid duplication of funding and to make sure that unserved and underserved areas are not miscategorized. An underserved location is one that does not have access to broadband speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 20 Mbps uploads.
OBAE tentatively plans to release funding information and application materials on November 15 and to begin accepting applications in early 2025.
Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities are eligible to apply for BEAD funding. BEAD is the state’s largest funding program to deploy broadband infrastructure.
The state was allocated $675 million for the BEAD program.
Prospective applicants must submit a Prequalification Application to apply for BEAD funding.
These Prequalification Applications will help the state determine whether an entity has the technical capability and financial stability to deploy broadband and meet federal and state requirements.
OBAE will decide whether an entity can move forward with a formal application by using the following criteria:
For more information about BEAD, state and federal requirements and the prequalification process, CLICK HERE. If you have any questions, please contact OBAE at: [email protected]
9/11/2024
The BEAD Prequalification Submission Window opens September 16!
OBAE will conduct a BEAD Prequalification webinar on Monday, September 16 from 11-12pm MST.
The Priority Deadline to submit a BEAD Prequalification Application is October 14 at 11:59pm. Applications submitted by the Priority Deadline will receive an accelerated review process and completed applications will receive a decision by November 1. The Final Deadline to submit is November 1 at 11:59pm. OBAE will conduct a BEAD Prequalification webinar on Monday, September 16 from 11-12pm MST. This webinar is intended for prospective applicants of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion's BEAD Program. The agenda will provide an overview of the BEAD Program, an explanation the Prequalification process, instructions for how to submit a Prequalification application, and will allow time for questions. Click here to register
Time is running out! If you intend to apply for broadband deployment funding through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, you have just a week. The deadline to submit Prequalification Applications is next Friday, November 15.Prospective applicants must submit a Prequalification Application to apply for BEAD
funding. For more information about BEAD, state and federal requirements and the prequalification process, CLICK HERE. New Mexico was allocated $675 million for the BEAD program. OBAE also tentatively plans to release funding information and application materials on November 15 and to begin accepting applications in early 2025. Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities are eligible to apply for BEAD funding. BEAD is the state’s largest funding program to deploy broadband infrastructure. These Prequalification Applications will help the state determine whether an entity has the technical capability and financial stability to deploy broadband and meet federal and state requirements. OBAE will decide whether an entity can move forward with a formal application by using the following criteria:
Financial capabilities
Managerial capabilities Technical capabilities
Legal and regulatory compliance Operational capabilities Ownership
Stewardship of other public funding
Once Prequalification Applications are evaluated and approved, entities will then formally apply for their suggested broadband projects based on broadband-dry areas. Both the state and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration must approve the final applications.
If you have any questions, please contact OBAE at: [email protected]
10/24/2024 BEAD Prequalification Deadline Extended to November 15
OBAE has extended the deadline to submit Prequalification Applications to November 15.The original deadline was November 1. OBAE has decided to allow more time to apply for Prequalification Applications because it’s still finalizing the list of eligible serviceable locations for broadband with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). That process will help ensure that other federal funding programs are accurately accounted for to avoid duplication of funding and to make sure that unserved and underserved areas are not miscategorized. An underserved location is one that does not have access to broadband speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 20 Mbps uploads.
OBAE tentatively plans to release funding information and application materials on November 15 and to begin accepting applications in early 2025.
Local governments, Tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities are eligible to apply for BEAD funding. BEAD is the state’s largest funding program to deploy broadband infrastructure.
The state was allocated $675 million for the BEAD program.
Prospective applicants must submit a Prequalification Application to apply for BEAD funding.
These Prequalification Applications will help the state determine whether an entity has the technical capability and financial stability to deploy broadband and meet federal and state requirements.
OBAE will decide whether an entity can move forward with a formal application by using the following criteria:
- Financial capabilities
- Managerial capabilities Technical capabilities
- Legal and regulatory compliance Operational capabilities Ownership
- Stewardship of other public funding
For more information about BEAD, state and federal requirements and the prequalification process, CLICK HERE. If you have any questions, please contact OBAE at: [email protected]
9/11/2024
The BEAD Prequalification Submission Window opens September 16!
OBAE will conduct a BEAD Prequalification webinar on Monday, September 16 from 11-12pm MST.
The Priority Deadline to submit a BEAD Prequalification Application is October 14 at 11:59pm. Applications submitted by the Priority Deadline will receive an accelerated review process and completed applications will receive a decision by November 1. The Final Deadline to submit is November 1 at 11:59pm. OBAE will conduct a BEAD Prequalification webinar on Monday, September 16 from 11-12pm MST. This webinar is intended for prospective applicants of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion's BEAD Program. The agenda will provide an overview of the BEAD Program, an explanation the Prequalification process, instructions for how to submit a Prequalification application, and will allow time for questions. Click here to register
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09/01/2024 BEAD Prequalification Application available September 1
In another step forward in the BEAD Program, OBAE has published the first version of the BEAD Prequalification Application in advance of opening the Prequalification submission window. This process enables prospective applicants to establish their qualifications and capabilities to plan, finance, deploy, and maintain broadband networks while driving commercial success and adhering to all legal and regulatory requirements. OBAE aims to prequalify prospective applicants in advance of accepting applications later this year. BEAD Prequalification Application - version 1.0 -Link |
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08/23/2024 PAU Public Comment Period CLOSES September 30, 2024 The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has announced that it will seek public comments from September 1 to September 30, 2024, in the next step of the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The public comments will center on draft Project Area Units (PAU), regions across the state for which stakeholders will bid for BEAD funding for broadband projects. PAUs were designed using existing administrative boundaries, including Tribal lands, school districts, census blocks and tracts, and high-cost areas defined by NTIA. Office Hours: Project Area Units (PAU) Request for Comment Office Hours include:
If you have any questions, please contact OBAE at [email protected]. |
Link to Draft of PAUs Link to Submission Portal Webinar: BEAD Project Area Units Request for Comment Friday, 8/30/24 10am-11am Slide Deck Link View Recording |
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07/26/2024 NM Initial Proposal Volume II Approved!
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved New Mexico's Initial Proposal Volume II. This clears the way for the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) to begin the grant application process under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Local governments, Tribal communities, non-profits, internet service providers, cooperatives and other entities will soon be eligible for grants to deploy infrastructure projects across the state. The grants would be financed with $675 million being made available to New Mexico through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. |
05/17/2024
OBAE delayed the start of the Rebuttal Phase until June 3rd. The Rebuttal Phase ran from June 3rd-July 3rd and the Final Determination Phase will ran from July 4th-August 3rd. Additionally, OBAE extended the period of time when eligible challengers could submit revisions to their challenges to ensure ample time to respond if asked to do so by OBAE. Revisions could be submitted until 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 29th.
PLEASE NOTE: OBAE has received new guidance from NTIA regarding making challenges on the grounds that there is a lack of Tribal consent. Lack of tribal consent is only grounds for a challenge when the BSLs being challenged are in the unbuilt portion of an enforceable commitment under a government funding program. Deployed networks cannot be challenged on the grounds of lack of tribal consent regardless of whether the deployment was supported by a government program or not.
04/17/2024
Due to technical difficulties, OBAE was unable to open the Challenge portal on April 17th as scheduled. In the interest of fairness to all concerned, OBAE opened the Challenge Portal April 18th. The Challenge Phase extended until May 18th to allow the full 30-day process to occur as planned. re will be no change to the Rebuttal or Final Determination Phases at this time.
OBAE delayed the start of the Rebuttal Phase until June 3rd. The Rebuttal Phase ran from June 3rd-July 3rd and the Final Determination Phase will ran from July 4th-August 3rd. Additionally, OBAE extended the period of time when eligible challengers could submit revisions to their challenges to ensure ample time to respond if asked to do so by OBAE. Revisions could be submitted until 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 29th.
PLEASE NOTE: OBAE has received new guidance from NTIA regarding making challenges on the grounds that there is a lack of Tribal consent. Lack of tribal consent is only grounds for a challenge when the BSLs being challenged are in the unbuilt portion of an enforceable commitment under a government funding program. Deployed networks cannot be challenged on the grounds of lack of tribal consent regardless of whether the deployment was supported by a government program or not.
04/17/2024
Due to technical difficulties, OBAE was unable to open the Challenge portal on April 17th as scheduled. In the interest of fairness to all concerned, OBAE opened the Challenge Portal April 18th. The Challenge Phase extended until May 18th to allow the full 30-day process to occur as planned. re will be no change to the Rebuttal or Final Determination Phases at this time.
Press Releases
Press Releases
07/26/2024 Biden-Harris Administration Approves New Mexico and Virginia’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposal
07/26/2024: NM Initial Proposal Volume II Approved!
06/ 26/2023 Press Release: Biden Administration awards more than $675 million to New Mexico to expand broadband access statewide.
Press Highlight: 08/02/2024 KKOB’s Bob Clark interview with Acting Director Drew Lovelace
KKOB’s Bob Clark interviewed Acting Director Drew Lovelace about the recent federal approval of OBAE’s broadband deployment plan and what it means for communities and the state.
Click the button below to listen!
KKOB’s Bob Clark interviewed Acting Director Drew Lovelace about the recent federal approval of OBAE’s broadband deployment plan and what it means for communities and the state.
Click the button below to listen!
BEAD Office Hours - Wednesdays from 9-9:30am MST.
OBAE will host Office Hours for the BEAD Program every Wednesday from 9-9:30am, MST. During Office Hours, BEAD Coordinator Andrew Wilder will be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance to prospective applicants and other interested stakeholders. Use the links below to join Office Hours:
OBAE will host Office Hours for the BEAD Program every Wednesday from 9-9:30am, MST. During Office Hours, BEAD Coordinator Andrew Wilder will be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance to prospective applicants and other interested stakeholders. Use the links below to join Office Hours:
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