[1st-mile-nm] Santa Fe and Albuquerque WiFi Hotspots

[Richard Lowenberg]

Santa Fe and Albuquerque WiFi Locations

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/santa-fe-offers-free-wi-fi-locations-across-the-city/
Posted: Jul 6, 2020

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The City of Santa Fe is offering residents 
increased access to the internet by offering free Wi-Fi at public 
facilities. The city has installed infrastructure to expand internet 
ranges at schools, city facilities, and libraries.

Residents are urged to practice social distancing while at the locations 
and to use a mask in public. The following locations offer free Wi-Fi:

Aspen Community School, 450 La Madera Street
J. Martinez Elementary School, 401 West San Mateo Road
Kearny Elementary School, 901 Avenida de las Campanas
El Camino Real Academy, 2500 South Meadows
Sweeney Elementary School, 501 Airport Road
Nina Otero Community School, 5901 Herrera Drive
Santa Fe Plaza
Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive
Genoveva Chavez Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Road
La Farge Library, 1730 Llano Street
Main Santa Fe Library, 145 Washington Avenue

------

Updated: Apr 30, 2020

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and city 
officials held a press conference on Thursday to provide updates on the 
local coronavirus response and also unveiled a new plan that provides 
free, high-speed wireless internet to local students and families.

General updates
PNM has partnered with the New Mexico Small Business Development Center 
and has activated its call center to assist small businesses to sift 
through information and help them access funds.

Lovelace Medical Center has opened a pop-up shop next to the cafeteria 
that allows healthcare workers shop for food.

Presbyterian Hospital is offering food donation guidance. Items provided 
to healthcare workers are greatly appreciated and must be prepackaged 
and nonperishable. Those with questions can refer to 311 or Presbyterian 
for additional information.

The Department of Workforce Solutions will now offer one-time grants in 
the amount of $750 each to self-employed individuals affected by the 
COVID-19 outbreak. The Self-Employed Stimulus Payment will be available 
for the first 2,000 applicants that qualify.

WiFi on Wheels
The Keller administration announced phase one of their new drive-up WiFi 
site program also known as WiFi on Wheels. The program aims to close the 
gap for high speed internet and makes internet access available to 
vulnerable populations.

Census data reports that 73% of New Mexico has a broadband connection 
below the 81% national average. This makes New Mexico second to last in 
the country in respect to broadband access.

This drive-up WiFi program will provide free internet access at 80 new 
hotspots around Albuquerque including sites at meal distribution 
locations and at APS schools. The City of Albuquerque has created a map 
of outdoor free WiFi sites that is available online and will be 
distributed at meal sites.

https://www.cabq.gov/coronavirus-information/wifi

This map will be available in several languages and will be updated 
daily with additional sites as they are added. Currently, in the initial 
phase of the program the city is providing free WiFi at:

Eight of the most frequented APS grab and go meal sites: Chaparral 
Elementary School, Dennis Chavez Elementary School, Helen Cordero 
Elementary School, James Monroe Middle School, Rudolfo Anaya Elementary 
School, Sierra Vista Elementary School, Truman Middle School

Six high schools during Chromebook distribution: Albuquerque High 
School, Atrisco Heritage Academy, Highland High School, Manzano High 
School, Rio Grande High School, and West Mesa High School

Erna Fergusson Public Library, Juan Tabo Public Library, Lomas Tramway 
Public Library, Manzano Mesa Multi-Gen Center, San Pedro Public Library, 
Taylor Ranch Public Library, Westgate Heights Public Library

Additional cites will be announced as soon as they are available.

Sun Vans and city vehicles at the locations will display signs 
identifying them as a WiFi site. The vans will allow anyone who parks in 
a 100-foot radius to access the internet through a hotspot.

The public is asked to remain in their cars to promote social 
distancing. The mobile hotspots at APS meal sites will operate during 
meal site hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. WiFi at 
city facilities will take place everyday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hotspots can support up to 10 devices and city officials hope to 
increase this number to 15 in the near future.


---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
---------------------------------------------------------------