FFB Episode 275: Smart Funding, Smart Deployment: The Strategy Driving 100% Coverage

About this episode

This episode discusses New Mexico's broadband strategy focusing on affordability and access, featuring insights from Jeff Lopez on recent legislative developments and funding initiatives.

Affordability and access are converging in New Mexico’s broadband strategy. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Jeff Lopez, Director of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the FBA, about Senate Bill 152, unanimously approved by the New Mexico Senate and recently signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, creating the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, the nation’s first state-level, post-ACP broadband affordability program to help up to 27,000 families afford service. Lopez also discusses federal approval of the state’s $382 million BEAD proposal through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which will connect 42,500+ locations statewide. He explains New Mexico’s tech-neutral approach — blending fixed wireless, fiber, and low Earth orbit satellite — and how affordability and infrastructure together will drive the state to 100% coverage. Register now! With Special Guest: Jeff Lopez, Director of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE)

People in this episode

Host: Gary Bolton

Guest: Jeff Lopez

Topics covered

• broadband access
• affordability
• infrastructure
• New Mexico
• telecommunications
• Senate Bill 152
• federal funding

Keywords

• broadband
• affordability program
• New Mexico
• Senate Bill 152
• telecommunications
• federal funding
• infrastructure
• BEAD proposal
• 100% coverage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, FBA, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Places: New Mexico

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