What is broadband?Broadband is the transmission of a wide bandwidth of data over a high speed internet connection. Broadband provides high speed internet access via multiple types of technologies including DSL, cable, fiber optics, wireless, and satellite.
What is bandwidth?Bandwidth is the amount of data that can flow in a given amount of time. Bandwidth is measured in:
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Initial broadband standards
The speed originally recommended by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as "adequate"to move data in megabits per second (Mbps) was download 25 Mbps downstream and upload 3 Mbps upstream. This standard has been changed recently.
What speed is right for you?
Nationwide, communities are aiming to upgrade access to support 100 download Mbps and 20-100 upload Mbps
Speed test
Does your home or business have adequate baseline internet speeds?
Take the New Mexico Speed Test to find your download/upload speeds.
Take the New Mexico Speed Test to find your download/upload speeds.
Why does speed matter?
Broadband speed is important because it allows for faster transmission (uploading and downloading) of data. As data is transmitted digitally, text, images and sound are all translated into “bits” of data.
In January 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) increased the recommended “availability” target speed threshold to download of 25 Mbps (25 Megabits per second or 25 million bits per second from the Internet to the user's computer) and upload of 3Mbps (3 Megabits per second or 2 million bits per second from the user's computer to the Internet) from the previous benchmark of 4 Mbps (download)/1 Mbps (upload). Slower services, such as dial-up, run at 56 Kbps and cannot transmit data as quickly. Broadband is accessed through various high-speed transmission technologies that allow these bits to move faster. Recently, the national standard has moved to 100 Mbps download and 20-100 Mbps upload.
In January 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) increased the recommended “availability” target speed threshold to download of 25 Mbps (25 Megabits per second or 25 million bits per second from the Internet to the user's computer) and upload of 3Mbps (3 Megabits per second or 2 million bits per second from the user's computer to the Internet) from the previous benchmark of 4 Mbps (download)/1 Mbps (upload). Slower services, such as dial-up, run at 56 Kbps and cannot transmit data as quickly. Broadband is accessed through various high-speed transmission technologies that allow these bits to move faster. Recently, the national standard has moved to 100 Mbps download and 20-100 Mbps upload.
Internet access
Internet is accessible through a variety of platforms, including but not limited to DSL, Cable Modem, Fiber Optics, Fixed Wireless, Mobile Wireless and Satellite.
The connected community
Broadband Internet is an important link to connect our community together and connect our community to the world. Whether urban or rural, broadband Internet can help our community thrive and connect citizens, businesses and local government to the education, business, health, and life tools and resources needed in a digital economy.
Glossary of terms
- Bandwidth: the rate at which data can be transmitted between your computer and the testing servers.
- kbps or kb/s: kilobits per second – a measure of Bandwidth. File sizes are normally indicated in terms of “bytes”; one byte is equal to 8 bits. In other words, 1000 kilobits per second is equal to 125 kilobytes per second.
- Mbps or Mb/s: Megabits per second – another measure of Bandwidth. One Megabit is equal to 1024 kilobits.
- Packet: a unit of data capable of being routed through a computer network.
- Latency: the time it takes for a single packet of data to be sent from your computer to the testing server and back (the “round trip” time). This is measured in milliseconds, or thousandths of a second.
- Jitter: a measure of the variability in Latency.
Who can provide broadband services in New Mexico?
Communications service provider companies, electric cooperatives, public utility providers, local community networking internet service providers, or any other entity that builds or owns a broadband network project.
What are the benefits of broadband?
As the technology supporting broadband connectivity continues to grow, so do the benefits of getting connected. Here are some examples of how broadband connectivity can benefit your home or business.
- Economic Development
- Government Services
- Education
- Health Care
- Public Safety
- Telework
- Entertainment
How is broadband accessed?
Broadband is accessed through several technologies, including these below:
- Digital subscriber lines, which transmit data to homes and businesses over traditional copper telephone lines, which are already installed. Not all copper telephone lines, however, are capable of transmitting data as DSL.
- Cable modems, which transmit data through the same coaxial cables that generate pictures and sounds on television sets
- Fiber-optic cables, which convert electrical signals carrying data into light and send the light through transparent glass fibers about the diameter of a human hair. Fiber transmits data at speeds much faster than DSL and cable, typically tens and even hundreds of Mbps.
- Wireless, which can be mobile or fixed. Fixed wireless involves the wireless transmission of data from a local antenna to a permanent location such as a home or business. The service is similar to what is delivered over DSL or a cable modem, but the transmission is wireless. Mobile wireless connects users in temporary locations such as coffee shops. Mobile broadband is transmitted through technologies such as portable modems and mobile phones.
- Satellite, which is another form of wireless useful for serving remote or sparsely populated areas
- Broadband over powerlines, which is an emerging technology that delivers broadband over low- and medium-voltage power lines and is provided to homes using existing electrical connections and outlets. BPL technology has been tested and piloted in North Carolina but is not currently used in homes.
What is broadband adoption?
Broadband adoption is the process by which individuals and businesses subscribe to and use high-speed internet. It involves both the availability of a suitable service and the active decision to subscribe, which is influenced by factors like infrastructure, cost, affordability, and digital literacy.
What is effective broadband adoption?
Effective broadband adoption supports Digital Inclusion policy and action that ensures daily access to the Internet for all.
- at speeds, quality, and capacity necessary to accomplish common tasks
- with the digital skills (training, digital literacy) necessary to fully participate online
- on a personal device and secure convenient network
Why is broadband important?
Broadband allows people more affordable and efficient access to basic amenities such as education, health care, public safety and government services by:
- Affording people opportunities to participate in online learning and distance education
- Giving entrepreneurs and small- and home-based business owners opportunities to compete with large corporations
- Increasing the productivity and efficiency of businesses that use the internet for their operations
- Connecting patients in remote areas to health care services
- Making government services more readily available to residents
- Saving companies and organizations money by letting employees telework
- Allowing friends and families to stay in touch with one another
Broadband Abbreviations & Acronyms
ACP: Affordable Connectivity Program
ACS: American Community Survey
ALGE: Acequia and Land Grant Education
ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act
BAT: Broadband Action Team
BEAD: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment
BLM: Bureau of Land Management
Bps: Bits per second
BSL: Broadband Serviceable Location
BTOP: Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
CAI: Community Anchor Institution
CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
CCA: Competitive Carriers Association
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
CMC: Connecting Minority Communities
CNMC: Connect New Mexico Council
CNMEC: Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative
CPE: Consumer Premise Equipment
CSF: Critical Success Factors
CTIA: Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association
DDOS: Distributed Denial of Service
DE: Digital Equity
DEA: Digital Equity Act
DEP: Digital Equity Plan
DOH: Department of Health
DoIT: Department of Information Technology
DSL: Digital Subscriber Line
ED: Economic Development
EDAC: Earth Data Analysis Center
FCC: Federal Communications Commission
FTE: Full Time Equivalent
FTTP: Fiber to the Premises
FY: Fiscal Year
G2G: Government to Government
Gbps: Billions of bits per second
GEER: Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (Fund)
GHz: Gigahertz
GIS: Geographic Information System
GMS: Grants Management System
HED: Higher Education Department
Hh: Household
ICI: Information and Communication Technology
IDS: Intrusion Detection Service
IIJA: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
IP: Internet Protocol
IPRA: Inspection of Public Records Act
IPS: Intrusion Protection Service
IRU: Indefeasible Right of Usage
ISP: Internet Service Provider
JANPA: Jicarilla Apache Nation Power Authority
KPI: Key Performance Indicator
MBA: Master of Business Administration
MNO: Mobile Network Operator
MOU: Memorandum of Understanding
NAP: Network Access Points
NDIA: National Digital Inclusion Alliance
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act
NMAC: New Mexico Administrative Code
NMDFA: New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration
NMDoIT: New Mexico Department of Information Technology
NMDOT: New Mexico Department of Transportation
NMHU: New Mexico Highlands University
NMLA: New Mexico Library Association
NMM: Northern New Mexico
NMRSUSF: New Mexico Rural State Universal Service Fund
NMSA: New Mexico Statutes Annotated
NOFO: Notice of Funding Opportunity
NOPR: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NTIA: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
OBAE: Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
P3: Public-Private Partnership
PEN: Pueblo Education Network
POP: Points of Presence
PPP: Public Private Partnership
PRC: Public Regulation Commission
PROP: Permits, Right of Ways, and Pole Attachments
PSAP: Public Safety Access Pont
PSCOC: Public School Capital Outlay Council
PSFA: Public Schools Facilities Authority
RDOF: Rural Digital Opportunities Fund
READY: Regional Engagement for Adoption and Digital Equity
RFI: Request for Information
ROW: Rights of Way
RUS: Rural Utilities Service
SB: Senate Bill
SCP: Senior Certified Professional
SEC: Socorro Electric Cooperative
SEN: Statewide Education Network
SFIS: Santa Fe Indian School
SHLB: Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband (Coalition)
SHRM: Society for Human Resource Management
SME: Subject Matter Expert
SQL: Structured Query Language
STIP: Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan
TAP: Technical Assistance Program
TDS: Telecommunications and Data Systems
TIA: Telecommunications Industry Association
UNM: University of New Mexico
USCS: United States Code Service
WNM: Western New Mexico
