New Mexico Gets 42 Bids for $675 Million Broadband Program in Two Weeks

New Mexico received 42 new applications in just two weeks for $675 million in federal broadband grants, bringing the total to 87 applications as providers rush to expand high-speed internet to more than 44,000 unserved locations statewide. The surge in applications came after new federal rules restarted the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program last month. The 42 applications submitted in two weeks show increased interest compared to the original three-month application period. The latest applicants include eight internet service providers, five cooperatives, three Tribal entities and two low earth orbit satellite providers. Combined with the remaining first-round applications, 20 entities have now applied for 87 total projects spanning multiple technologies.