STATEWIDE EDUCATION NETWORK (SEN)
Completing the New Mexico Broadband Highway

The SEN is a school-centric broadband network built to connect hundreds of New Mexico schools together and provide a more secure internet while enhancing education through shared classes, resources and various services. 

The SEN provides better connectivity and expert network management, especially for rural and sparsely populated areas where IT expertixe may not be uniformly available.
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Why join​ the SEN?

• Optimize the connectivity to schools
• Allow sharing of resources, such as lessons plans, instructional material, learning platforms, professional development
• Leverage and maximize E-rate funding
• Reduce administrative burden
• Reduce cybersecurity risks
  ​(DDoS mitigation, monitoring)
• ​Same cost to schools (or lower)​

Key Benefits of SEN membership:

• Direct Access to the Statewide Education Network (SEN)
  
  • ​Enables high-performance connections to the SEN, which links public schools, libraries, and higher education institutions across New Mexico.
    
• Enhanced Digital Learning & Administratio
  
  • Supports real-time online learning, remote instruction, and cloud-based tools.
    
  • Improves performance for student testing, SIS platforms, and distance learning.
    
• Future-Proof Infrastructure
  
  • Scalable fiber infrastructure supports increasing data needs over time.
  • Prepares SFIS for next-gen technologies like telemedicine, virtual labs, and AI-assisted learning platforms.
    
• Support Community Resiliency and Tribal Sovereignty
  • Strengthens broadband self-determination and capacity-building for communities and tribal entities.
  • Creates opportunities for workforce development and STEM education.

Getting Connected: How do I join the SEN?

​Contact:
Ovidiu Viorica, Broadband Program Manager, BDCP Team
Office of Broadband Access & Expansion (OBAE)
505-270-1355
[email protected]

Join the SEN Advisory Committee

The SEN is the foundation for the
​state-coordinated "middle mile,"
​or "broadband highway."

Statewide Educational Network conceptual map

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SEN User Portal Sign-in
Access the User Portal here:

SEN User Portal

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SEN Document Library
Access the document templates here:

SEN - Document Library

SEN Process

• Establish Nodes
  upgrade electrical and cooling systems for Higher Ed facilities housing SEN Nodes„ 
• Establish Major Internet Routes
  identify and add key “Middle Mile” corridors, closing of rings for resiliency
  (a “box“ around the SEN)
• Establish “Meet Me” and Aggregation Points
  become launching points for “Last Mile”

SEN Phases

Phase 1

• Nodes in Albuquerque, Socorro, Farmington, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Las Vegas
  (& Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, Clovis)
• Backbone circuits between nodes
• Commodity Internet in two locations
• Switch over Last Mile Circuits

Phase 2

• RFP for additional Last Mile circuits (expiring ‘23/24) – 56 districts/charters
• Negotiations & Contracting
• Add schools to the SEN

SEN Diagrams

Diagram of the Statewide Education Network (SEN)

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Phase 1 current implementation - Statewide Education Network (as of spring2025)
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Phase 1 current implementation Diagram - Statewide Education Network (as end of of spring 2025)

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SEN Operation Timeline

SEN Advisory Committee

Learn more and join the SEN Advisory Committee HERE
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SEN Announcements

Ribbon Cutting at Albuquerque School Celebrated Launch of Statewide Education Network: New Mexico’s Public Education Secretary, APS Superintendent, OBAE officials and other dignitaries held a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 15, 2024, to mark the official launch of the Statewide Education Network (SEN). The ceremony marked a milestone in a New Mexico connectivity project that will eventually link hundreds of thousands of students. Dozens of schools have already connected to the school-centric broadband network. The ribbon cutting took place at the 21st Century Public Academy at 10am. Stakeholders and students were joined in the ceremony by New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, the New Mexico Secretary of Education Arsenio Romero, and Acting Director of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Drew Lovelace, as well as industry leaders, state legislators, and broadband advocates.
Read the Press Release: Statewide Education Network (SEN) Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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SEN Funding: The Federal Communications Commission has green-lighted more than $500,000 to go toward operations of the Statewide Education Network (SEN). The federal funding comes from the FCC’s Schools & Libraries USF Program, known as the E-rate program, which helps schools obtain internet service. SEN has begun connecting public schools in what will become a statewide broadband network, enabling students to share classes, resources and information and to access educational websites.   
​Read the Press Release: SEN Federal Funds
Watch the Video