From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Jan 13 12:51:25 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:51:25 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Treasury Simplifies and Improves Rules for Rescue Plan Aid for Broadband Networks Message-ID: <9843225875fa21378c77bb1756af6a1c@1st-mile.org> Worthwhile to review the entire posting with links via the URL. Thanks Christopher. -------- Treasury Simplifies and Improves Rules for Rescue Plan Aid for Broadband Networks Thu, January 13, 2022 | Posted by Christopher Mitchell https://muninetworks.org/content/treasury-simplifies-improves-rules-rescue-plan-aid-broadband-networks Communities across the United States got an unexpected gift from the Biden Administration last week in the form of additional flexibility to use Rescue Plan funds for needed broadband investments, particularly those focused on low-income neighborhoods in urban areas. When Congress developed and passed the American Rescue Plan Act, it tasked the Treasury Department with writing the rules for some key programs, including the State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). That program is distributing $350 billion to local and state governments, which can use it for a variety of purposes that include broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion efforts. Treasury released an Interim Final Rule in May, 2021, detailing how local governments would be allowed to invest in broadband. I promptly freaked out, at the restrictions and complications that I (and others) feared would result in local governments backing away from needed broadband investments due to fears of being out of compliance with the rule. After we worked with numerous local leaders and the National League of Cities to explain the problems we saw in the proposed rule, Treasury released updated guidance in the form of a Q&A document to explain how local governments would be able to build and partner for needed networks. (snip) --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Jan 13 12:56:36 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:56:36 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Galisteo area broadband? Message-ID: A personal question for friends in the Lamy - Galisteo area. Are there any potential fiber considerations/plans, or other means of improved network services in the Galisteo area? Plateau? Thanks for responses in advance. RL --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From robert.jacobson at atelier-tomorrow.com Fri Jan 14 12:47:52 2022 From: robert.jacobson at atelier-tomorrow.com (Robert Jacobson) Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:47:52 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] SpaceX/StarLink has a lot to learn regarding local broadband, both politics and provisioning Message-ID: <949F3336-1B15-4F84-94B7-A7448FE1738F@atelier-tomorrow.com> Dear 1stMile Colleagues, There's been a lot written about the problematic rural broadband to be delivered by SpaceX's StarLink satellite internet service. Most has been vying technical critiques. I'd like to add another caveat. Recently the State of Arizona opened a statewide Broadband Development Grant competition, making $!00 million in BBB funds available for extending broadband throughout the state. Santa Cruz County (AZ), where I live, engaged Community Broadband Advocates (CBA) to determine where fiber might best serve in the local Borderlands regions. They're doing great work. But I wanted to investigate SpaceX's StarLink satellite service as a rural substitute for fiber, for which I gained our Supervisors? approval. Here?s what I found?. StarLink's easier to install for sure: you can do it yourself in an hour, with a small dish on the roof. And it's portable. In terms of performance, largely because satellite operations are still experimental, it?s about 95% on the way to being just the right service for residential and small-business uses. You just turn on your receiver and you have 1.5 Gbps down, about half that up. The modem that comes with your $495 setup is incredibly powerful. The service costs $99/month. There are minor service limitations in some locales. But so far, so good. StarLink's upper management and its policies have proven a bigger problem. First of all, there's no one person in charge to set the company?s course. Elon and his celebrity guests may strike adventurous poses in orbit, or on Mars, but that?s not where broadband is most needed. Not by we rural bumpkins. Second, below Elon are multiple ladders of satraps, each potentate protecting his or her sacred domain. Discovering the right directors and communicating with them without a formal introduction is difficult. Third, the broadband component of the company doesn?t know how to invest money to make money. For example, the Arizona Commerce Authority requires applicants for its copious broadband funds to pledge in a letter that they will make good on a match of 10% of the total value of each award. Note that no money changes hands or is prematurely put in escrow by the State. It just wants a letter indicating there will be corporate skin in the game when funding commercial ventures. Ask for that letter from SpaceX (as I did) and all you get is groaning about how the company remains pristine by not acceding to such requirements. How petty. For the $450K grant for which ATI was going to request, to fund 400+ StarLink stations, SpaceX would have to pledge $45K. That?s almost exactly how much more it would earn in one month serving 400 new customers each paying StarLink's $99/month fee. A no-lose proposition? I thought so. But key StarLink sales execs insisted that he/she/they would not write such letters, which go against company policy. Never before have I encountered such weirdness. Not to provide in a letter a pledge for $45K, repayable in a month) in return for a $450K grant for new infrastructure and the 400+ new customers it would serve, each paying $99 a month or $1,200 a year ? in total, nearly $500,000 a year? Bizarre. When all was said and done, I couldn?t help but decide that StarLink may not be what our region needs. As a StarLink user, I think the service is superb. It would be even better if all my neighbors had the same or compatible service from StarLink and other vendors, and we could easily network. Not to experience the digging and cable-hanging and other disruptions associated with fiber ? plus the cost of maintenance and replacement ? would be very good karma. But StarLink won't seize the moment. It wants autonomy from, not partnership with, the very local governments who would be such good partners. It doesn?t want to make even meager investment pledges. It doesn?t want to submit letters pledging collaboration. In short, it wants to call the tune. That?s not going to fly with state and local regulators and political leaders in our neck of the woods. Just not. And probably not elsewhere, either, I had such high hopes?. Elon, are you listening? Bob Jacobson Robert Jacobson, Ph.D. Principal & Strategist Atelier Tomorrow Inc. A Nonprofit Policy Consultancy To the Nonprofit & Public Sectors 53 Sonoita Drive, POB 222, Patagonia, AZ 85624 Mail: robert.jacobson at atelier-tomorrow.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bobjacobson Mobile: (520) 370-1259 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ATI-Future Facing (Small).png Type: image/png Size: 41892 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dlc at lampinc.com Fri Feb 4 09:40:35 2022 From: dlc at lampinc.com (Dale Carstensen) Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2022 10:40:35 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] SpaceX/StarLink has a lot to learn regarding local broadband, both politics and provisioning In-Reply-To: <949F3336-1B15-4F84-94B7-A7448FE1738F@atelier-tomorrow.com> References: <949F3336-1B15-4F84-94B7-A7448FE1738F@atelier-tomorrow.com> Message-ID: <20220204174036.1D64117C6@lacn.los-alamos.net> Robert, Here is some discussion of Starlink on Hacker News and jeffgeerling.com that you might consider informative: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30192558 >Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:47:52 -0700 >To: 1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org >From: Robert Jacobson >Subject: [1st-mile-nm] SpaceX/StarLink has a lot to learn regarding local broadband, both politics and provisioning From rl at 1st-mile.org Tue Feb 15 10:20:51 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 11:20:51 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Public Private Partnership Act Passes House By Vote Of 63-2 Message-ID: <8653d9fa085cf64252334b349c668c89@1st-mile.org> FEBRUARY 8, 2022 https://losalamosreporter.com/2022/02/08/public-private-partnership-act-passes-house-by-vote-of-63-2/ LOS ALAMOS REPORTER Public-Private Partnership Act Passes House By Vote Of 63-2 HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE HB 55, the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Act, which would permit public and private institutions to partner to improve broadband and transportation infrastructure in New Mexico, passed the House today by a vote of 63 to 2. A key provision of President Biden?s Infrastructure Act, public agencies and private investors in P3s share responsibility for financing, building, and maintaining infrastructure projects. P3s have been used to build infrastructure across America including highways, water treatment systems, courthouses, and arenas, creating and securing local jobs along the way. In New Mexico these partnerships will expand rural access to broadband, and make crucial infrastructure upgrades, including repairs to our bridges and highways. ?We have a tremendous opportunity to make infrastructure improvements all across New Mexico,? said Representative Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque). ?This will help us bring overdue infrastructure and broadband updates to the communities that need them most.? HB 55 is sponsored by Representatives Garratt, Patricia A. Lundstrom (D- Gallup), Cathrynn N. Brown (R-Carlsbad), Jane E. Powdrell-Culbert (R-Albuquerque), and Senator Roberto ?Bobby? J. Gonzales (D-Taos). --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Feb 24 12:51:47 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:51:47 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] NM Broadband Appropriation Message-ID: <000ae3bf7873ff458600244527579d21@1st-mile.org> Passed by the Legislature and Awaiting Action by the Governor, House Bill 2 (General Appropriations Act) includes: $20 million to the NM Department of Information Technology to plan, design, and construct broadband projects and improve cybersecurity statewide. The appropriation contains sufficient funding for development of a digital equity plan to reduce barriers to broadband and leverage federal funding. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From jtjohnson555 at gmail.com Tue Mar 29 10:42:31 2022 From: jtjohnson555 at gmail.com (Tom Johnson) Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2022 11:42:31 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] What Is Digital Redlining? Experts Explain the Nuances Message-ID: Digital redlining is underinvestment by Internet companies in providing service to communities that are lower income ? disproportionately communities of color ? and it results in plans that have lower speeds and are often less affordable than those found in wealthier ? and often whiter ? areas https://www.govtech.com/network/what-is-digital-redlining-experts-explain-the-nuances?utm_campaign=Newsletter%20-%20GT%20-%20GovTech%20Today&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=208260787&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_D56QVJMrC_SVyWFnhecqshwZbvi9Cqc4LxW49A8mI296n7u_-Y37pcC7WpHqtqCRfE-1_6S9d4iBtHBqrxTH6qKJ-6Q&utm_content=208260787&utm_source=hs_email -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rl at 1st-mile.org Wed Mar 30 11:13:40 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2022 12:13:40 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico: Can Courts Mandate Better Broadband? Message-ID: <4baba7d84329d016cbb05c1680c453ab@1st-mile.org> Here?s the link to today?s POTS and PANS blog by Doug Dawson, ?Can Courts Mandate Better Broadband??, on a New Mexico case regarding broadband for schools, and potential implications. https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2022/03/30/can-courts-mandate-better-broadband/ RL --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Sat Apr 9 10:03:58 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2022 11:03:58 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Fwd: NM Broadband Collective Broadband Equity Funding Now Available In-Reply-To: <1138754592168.1102292270879.6980.0.241035JL.2002@scheduler.constantcontact.com> References: <1138754592168.1102292270879.6980.0.241035JL.2002@scheduler.constantcontact.com> Message-ID: <86533f906ecd7b4c0c7bf7ec32a4d3d4@1st-mile.org> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2022 Contact: JoAnn Melchor jmelchor at newmexicofoundation.org 505.356.4110 New Mexico Broadband Collective Announces Application for Broadband Equity Funding Now Available April 7, 2022 (Santa Fe, NM) The New Mexico Broadband Collective is pleased to announce that The New Mexico Broadband Equity Fund, managed by the New Mexico Foundation, has begun accepting applications as of April 1, 2022. This fund will award grants of up to $75,000 to nonprofit organizations, Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos, organizations with a fiscal sponsor, and eligible local government entities to support community and regional efforts to develop and improve broadband in the state of New Mexico. Approximately 196,000 homes and businesses do not have broadband which prevents them from accessing jobs, healthcare, and other opportunities. This is often because their communities lack both the funding and technical assistance they need to develop solutions that will work best for them and to enable them to compete for the unprecedented federal and state broadband funding becoming available. Established in March 2021, the New Mexico Broadband Collective was formed to support a statewide approach to ensuring broadband services for all New Mexicans, especially in rural communities, Native American communities, and other hard-to-connect communities most impacted by the lack of sustainable digital equity and affordable broadband solutions. With backbone support from Groundworks New Mexico, the Collective is managed by a steering committee and includes representation from foundations, nonprofits, government, and private providers. Please visit the New Mexico Broadband Equity Fund [1]page on the New Mexico Foundation?s website to learn more and apply for funding. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is Noon on May 13, 2022. For any questions about applying for funding or how to contribute to the fund please contact Erika Davila (edavila at newmexicofoundation.org). For any questions about the New Mexico Broadband Collective please contact Danielle LaJoie (danielle at groundworksnm.org). To learn more about the New Mexico Broadband Collective, visit: https://www.lanlfoundation.org/nm-broadband-collective --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Tue Apr 19 15:10:28 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:10:28 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Fwd: NM Middle Mile Broadband RFI In-Reply-To: <642904845.589442.1650405239432.JavaMail.zimbra@bigbyte.cc> References: <1650398521613.52944@state.nm.us> <1597840879.588894.1650404325755.JavaMail.zimbra@bigbyte.cc> <642904845.589442.1650405239432.JavaMail.zimbra@bigbyte.cc> Message-ID: <43edef493a357d5dd33095832a617c7f@1st-mile.org> From: "Broadband, DoIT, DoIT" To: "Broadband, DoIT, DoIT" Cc: "Matt Schmit" , "Clarke, George, DoIT" , "Roybal, Renee, DoIT" Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 2:02:01 PM Subject: NM Middle Mile Broadband RFI Dear New Mexico Broadband Stakeholder: The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion [2] is interested in promoting the expansion of middle mile broadband infrastructure throughout the state. Among benefits, robust middle mile infrastructure will help foster universal broadband access to all unserved and underserved communities across New Mexico. This can occur by expediting the deployment and upgrades of last-mile broadband networks currently lacking affordable, high-capacity middle mile facilities. Today our Office posted this Request for Information (RFI) [3]to obtain input from key stakeholders such as broadband providers, broadband asset owners, local governments, tribal communities, and various state agencies. This input serves several objectives: First, the feedback will help the Office and potential collaborators ? across government and the private sector ? develop a comprehensive strategy for Network funding, design, deployment, and administration. Second, the input will facilitate future plans and proposals for state and federal funding sources. Third, it allows last mile providers to express their middle mile needs and interest in connecting to the Network. Fourth, it will align effort behind various state middle mile broadband needs and initiatives, including in education, transportation, public safety, etc. Between now and May 16, please review the RFI and share your feedback to broadband at state.nm.us. Meantime, please don?t hesitate with any questions or concerns by simply replying to this message. You are receiving this message due your previous communication with the New Mexico Department of Information Technology; feel free to forward this message to your colleagues and other parties of interest ? and please let us know if you are receiving this message in error or would like to be added to the list for future communications. Thanks for your interest in and contribution to our shared broadband goals! The New Mexico Office of Broadband Team?? Links: ------ [1] http://www.bigbyte.cc [2] https://www.doit.nm.gov/programs/broadband/ [3] https://api.realfile.rtsclients.com/PublicFiles/16569e3bf98c467e95901b46fd511499/3a35c2bc-8ebf-4755-9d91-ba95011f3ddf/nm-statewide-middle-mile-network-rfi.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From robert.jacobson at atelier-tomorrow.com Thu Apr 28 09:36:14 2022 From: robert.jacobson at atelier-tomorrow.com (Robert Jacobson) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:36:14 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Fwd: Happening NOW: Overview of CA "Broadband for All Legislation: Action Plan" progress tracker | Broadband for All References: Message-ID: <583D42A8-B282-44E8-90D5-F9CDC0A891B3@atelier-tomorrow.com> > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Robert Jacobson > Subject: Happening NOW: Overview of CA "Broadband for All Legislation: Action Plan" progress tracker | Broadband for All > Date: 28April2022 at 9:35:19 AM MST > To: AZ Info & Telecom Council , Jeff Sobotka > Cc: Bob Jacobson > > https://broadbandforall.cdt.ca.gov/progress-tracker/ > > Agency Round Table (Zoom): > > https://us06web.zoom.us/w/83103509742?tk=OBNLiIgEmQ5ePf2EDvcxaY6qFOw0CqkKkdVVKl9qiAk.DQMAAAATWVrs7hZfRml4bndKNlRYQ0lRRENqODV6TURBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&uuid=WN_SHEROEDhRZ68qlSXcxMM_g > > Webpage: > https://broadbandforall.cdt.ca.gov/progress-tracker/ > > Based on California SB 156 (passed last year): > https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB156 > > Happening now. Started at 9am. > > Bob > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Apr 28 10:46:26 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2022 11:46:26 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Local N. Mexico Providers Form NM Fiber Network with Plans to Span the State Message-ID: (The NM Fiber Network is an initiative of the NMECG) RL. https://www.telecompetitor.com/local-n-mexico-providers-form-nm-fiber-network-with-plans-to-span-the-state Local N. Mexico Providers Form NM Fiber Network with Plans to Span the State https://www.nmfibernetwork.com/ Eleven New Mexico telecom and broadband providers are planning a statewide fiber network to be known as NM Fiber Network LLC. The network is a ?multi-year, multi-million dollar? undertaking, NM Fiber Network said. Between them, the 11 providers already have thousands of miles of fiber across the state. The project is expected to augment those assets by increasing capacity and improving reliability. According to a press release, the genesis of the NM Fiber Network was in the New Mexico Broadband Initiative Consortium formed by the governor?s office to develop a state broadband roadmap. The formation of NM Fiber Network ?comes at a crucial time for the State of New Mexico as federal and state agencies are gearing up to distribute billions of dollars in broadband grant monies under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program established in the infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,? the press release notes. The goal of the BEAD program is to make high-speed broadband available to unserved rural areas by covering some of the deployment costs. Statewide fiber networks can have a big impact on the feasibility of a last-mile broadband project because in many cases, connectivity is needed not just to individual homes and businesses but also to an internet point of presence. Statewide fiber networks can serve as the middle-mile between a rural community and the internet. According to an NM Fiber Network web page, the statewide network will reach internet access points in Chicago and Ashburn, Virginia. The network will offer Ethernet and internet connections at speeds between 10 Mbps and 100 Gbps to providers, enterprises and anchor institutions. Plans for the statewide network also include partnering with Indatel, a nationwide network connecting more than 30 statewide fiber networks and 700 rural independent telecom providers. The NM Exchange Carrier Group's website posted fiber map is dated from 2009. What's new? http://nmecg.com/assets/files/NMECG_FIBER_RING_06-01-09-1.pdf R. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Apr 28 11:32:34 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2022 12:32:34 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] NDIA Federal Broadband Funding Guide Message-ID: <075decaafbe3fa886269a63c23b3d215@1st-mile.org> A useful resource for those trying to stay on top of federal broadband funding programs. https://www.digitalinclusion.org/policy/ R. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From nanrubin at gmail.com Mon Jun 13 14:32:05 2022 From: nanrubin at gmail.com (Nan Rubin) Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:32:05 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] =?utf-8?b?RndkOiAx4oCTMuKAkzMgTG93IENvc3QgSW50ZXJu?= =?utf-8?q?et!?= In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Please distribute this information as you feel appropriate. This is not a new program, but it is definitely worth promoting in our region. I am happy to provide some assistance if you need It. . Best, Nan Rubin ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Kevin Taglang Date: Mon, Jun 13, 2022, 5:55 AM Subject: 1?2?3 Low Cost Internet! To: Click here to view this message on the web. 1?2?3 Low Cost Internet! [image: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] Monday, June 13, 2022 Digital Beat 1?2?3 Low Cost Internet! [image: United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry] The United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry teamed up with our civil rights allies in 2021 and successfully persuaded Congress to adopt a new program that helps low-income households pay for high-speed internet. Now that Congress has acted, our biggest challenge is publicizing the program. Families and individuals need to hear from trusted members of their own communities to learn more ? people like you! Learn more about the new Affordable Connectivity Program and how you can help. We were so excited to spread the word about this program at the United Church of Christ?s weekly Thursdays for the Soul webinar series, you can get caught up quickly by watching the recording and downloading our toolkit . What is the Affordable Connectivity Program? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program designed to help low-income households pay for broadband internet service. Once an eligible household completes an application and is approved, it will receive a discount of up to $30 per month off its bill for mobile or home broadband internet services (up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands). The federal funds go directly to the service provider to cover the discount. In some cases, the subsidy will completely cover the cost of the internet service. [image: Boy using a computer at home.] Who Is Eligible? You are eligible for ACP if *anyone in your household*: - Receives certain income-based federal benefits such as *SNAP* (food stamps), *Supplemental Security Income (SSI),* federal *public housing* assistance or *Medicaid *benefits; - Receives Women?s Infants and Children (*WIC*) nutrition program benefits or qualifies for the *free and reduced-price school lunch* or breakfast programs; - Received a federal *Pell Grant* during the current school year; - Participates in other programs, including tribal and veterans programs . Call the FCC at 877?384?2575 or visit www.getinternet.gov to find out if you are eligible. [image: Save up to $30/month on your internet bill] How Can I Apply? - Call 877?384?2575 to request an application or to get more information, or go directly to ACPBenefit.org to apply. - Work with your local internet company to apply ? major companies like Comcast (Xfinity), Charter (Spectrum), AT&T , Verizon and T-Mobile are participating and can help you get connected. Find more participating providers at https://acpbenefit.org/companies-near-me/ . What Else Should I Know? - Owing money to your provider does not prevent you from participating. A company cannot use a credit check to keep you out of the basic ACP program. - You can choose any product the company offers or you can apply the discount to your existing plan. - You do not have to pay any early-termination fees. - You can keep your service even if you are up to 90 days late in paying a bill. [image: Thursdays for the Soul webinar.] *Spread the Word!* UCC Media Justice is encouraging UCC churches, conferences, associations and individual members ? and our friends throughout the faith and humanitarian communities ? to help spread the word by distributing and posting the flyer found at the end of this blog. The flyer includes the phone numbers of government staff members who can help households sign up. *If you take these steps, let us know! Post on social media using #GetInternet or #UCCMediaJustice or **email us* *.* 1. Share copies of the flyer through direct service projects or with other organizations who serve low-income people. - Does your church run a soup kitchen? Hand out copies at dinner. Do you volunteer at a food pantry? Put copies of the flyer in bags of groceries. Volunteering at a community event or homeless shelter? Bring flyers and help people understand what the program is about. - Support interested people in person by helping them with your phone or computer to go online to apply or to learn more. - Distribute the flyers at your church or community events, or post them on local bulletin boards. - Are you raising funds for a local group or people in need? Ask if you can also send along copies of flyers for them to distribute. 2. Use these outreach resources to share this program with others. These include social media, newsletter articles, additional flyers and more. - Federal Communications Commission - Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights 3. Take the next step and host a meeting, discussion, or outreach session. - You can send an email to invite speakers from UCC Media Justice , the Federal Communications Commission or your local community. For example, libraries, schools or members of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance may have someone local to come and speak about digital literacy and the ACP. Download a copy of the UCC Love Your Neighbors: Get Them Internet toolkit. ------------------------------ *This article originally appeared on Medium . It is reprinted here with permission of the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry * The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities. ------------------------------ ? Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 2022. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally - is encouraged if it includes this copyright statement. ------------------------------ For subscribe/unsubscribe info, please email headlinesATbentonDOTorg [image: Kevin Taglang] Kevin Taglang Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214 Wilmette, IL 60091 847-328-3040 headlines AT benton DOT org Share this edition: [image: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] [image: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] [image: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] [image: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities Unsubscribe from this newsletter -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Jul 21 09:11:01 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 10:11:01 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Albuquerque to be Connected Through Fiber-Optic Internet Message-ID: <90a42376dad4dac3b82971aedc00f757@1st-mile.org> Albuquerque to be Connected Through Fiber-Optic Internet https://www.cabq.gov/technology-innovation/news/albuquerque-to-be-connected-through-fiber-optic-internet Fiber-optic Internet to help close digital gap in Albuquerque, creates 150 permanent jobs. July 18, 2022 ? The City of Albuquerque has finalized its license agreement with Vexus Fiber, a Texas-based Internet company, to begin construction on a 100 percent fiber-optic network that will be available everywhere in the city with direct, cutting-edge internet access to all homes and businesses. (snip) --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Wed Jul 27 21:19:24 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2022 22:19:24 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Sacred Wind Acquisition Message-ID: NM telecommunications firm announces acquisition https://www.abqjournal.com/2519710/nm-telecommunications-firm-announces-acquisition.html BY MATTHEW NARVAIZ / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER PUBLISHED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 27TH, 2022 Sacred Wind Communications is set to be acquired by an out-of-state company looking to expand its infrastructure reach and broadband services in the southwestern United States. Colorado-based Commnet Broadband acquired the New Mexico company in an announcement made on Wednesday. The acquisition cost wasn?t disclosed in the announcement and Sacred Wind CEO John Badal declined to comment on the purchase price, other than saying the deal included a ?combo of cash and equity.? The deal is expected to close as soon as regulatory approvals come over the next several months, including from the Federal Communications Commission. ?Together with Commnet Broadband, we can continue to grow and provide high-quality service to more customers in our region,? Badal said in a statement. Sacred Wind, a telephone and internet company focusing on bridging the digital divide for tribal communities in New Mexico, will keep its name through the acquisition, Badal told the Journal. He said pricing will also remain the same for current customers. There will also be no cuts to Sacred Wind?s staff of 60. Badal added there is a possibility that more employees may be added over time due to Sacred Wind?s heightened interest in extending its services to the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Badal said the acquisition is more of a partnership between the firms ? their holding company name is Alloy LLC ? with Commnet offering Sacred Wind additional operational support for some of its current projects. Sacred Wind?s standing in the NM Fiber Network LLC, a coalition of phone and internet companies looking to improve broadband access in New Mexico, also won?t be affected, Badal said. He added that the acquisition helps Sacred Wind with getting more federal grants. Badal will stay on once the deal is finalized, changing his title from CEO to consultant between the combined companies and serving as a board member. Commnet CEO Tom Guthrie called the acquisition a strong move for both companies going forward. ?Sacred Wind has an excellent reputation serving consumers and businesses in New Mexico through its fiber-based network,? he said ?Together, we are stronger and can expand faster to serve more customers with affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband.? --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Tue Aug 16 17:12:36 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2022 18:12:36 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Now Stands To Receive Millions In Federal Funding To Close Digital Divide Message-ID: <726f527979257d8b63a9144a5b553040@1st-mile.org> New Mexico Now Stands To Receive Millions In Federal Funding To Close Digital Divide DoIT News: Submitted by Carol A. Clark July 21, 2022 https://ladailypost.com/new-mexico-now-stands-to-receive-millions-in-federal-funding-to-close-digital-divide/ SANTA FE ? New Mexico joined all 50 states and 6 territories in meeting critical deadlines for federal digital equity and broadband expansion funds included in the $65 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). ?Ensuring New Mexico is positioned to secure its fair share of federal funding is a top priority,? said Director Kelly Schlegel of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. ?All New Mexicans deserve quality access to digital services, no matter the size of their community.? The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, which is administratively connected to the New Mexico Department of Information Technology, submitted its application for Digital Equity Planning Grant Program support through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The state also issued a letter of intent to NTIA, confirming New Mexico?s interest in the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program ? starting with $5 million in support for year-long work toward a 5-Year Action Plan, which is required to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in future program funding for broadband expansion. To meet another milestone, the state will provide a more detailed proposal to NTIA outlining the state?s anticipated use of the $5 million planning funds by August 15. ?We are taking a disciplined approach to accelerating New Mexico?s digital transformation, which will allow all New Mexicans to fully participate in today?s economy,? Schlegel said. ?Optimizing federal grant funding to launch a collaborative, state-led effort will empower our local governments, tribes, schools, small businesses and community organizations to eliminate the digital divide together ? forever.? In addition, the state applied for approximately $740,000 in funding to support year-long digital equity planning, analysis, outreach, and engagement. This work will precede an anticipated $17 million for New Mexico in federal Digital Equity Capacity Grant support in 2023, and an additional $1.25 billion in competitive funding available nationally starting in 2024 through NTIA?s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. ?New Mexico must have adequate funding to ultimately be successful in eliminating the digital divide and meeting these critical federal milestones are fundamental to achieving the overall New Mexico state plan of collaboration, innovative approaches, comprehensive middle mile development, support for alternative technologies for hard-to-reach regions and achieve 100 percent connectivity,? Schlegel said. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Aug 25 10:04:17 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2022 11:04:17 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] NM Submits Application To Secure Initial Federal Broadband Planning Dollars Message-ID: New Mexico Submits Application To Secure Initial Broadband Planning Dollars, Lay Groundwork For Historic Federal Internet Expansion https://ladailypost.com/new-mexico-submits-application-to-secure-initial-broadband-planning-dollars-lay-groundwork-for-historic-federal-internet-expansion Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 24, 2022 SANTA FE ?The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) submitted its application for initial planning funds through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Last month, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a letter of intent to the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) confirming New Mexico?s interest in the $42.5 billion BEAD program ? starting with $5 million in planning funds to support the State?s year-long work toward a Five-Year Action Plan, required to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in future program funding for broadband expansion. ?Standardizing our approach to data collection, engagement, and community survey work to align with the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program will be a key step to ensuring that New Mexico makes the most of this historic opportunity for cross-sector collaboration and government alignment ? state, federal and local,? said Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Kelly Schlegel. ?We look forward to launching a collaborative state-led effort that will empower our local governments, tribes, schools, and community organizations to eliminate the digital divide together ? forever.? This latest milestone was reached on August 15, 2022, when OBAE outlined its general approach for increasing equitable access to broadband service statewide. The proposed ?Connect New Mexico Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Project? includes the creation of a comprehensive Five-Year Action Plan that will identify New Mexico?s broadband access, affordability, equity, and adoption needs and serve as a benchmark for adopting strategies, goals, and initial measures for connecting all residents of New Mexico with reliable broadband service. To ensure all New Mexicans have access to reliable, affordable, and high-speed internet, the Connect New Mexico BEAD Project intends to utilize initial planning funds to execute the following seven eligible activities: Research and Data Collection, including broadband access mapping and analysis, digital equity metric identification, collection, and analysis, and evaluation of best practices within and opportunities for aligning digital equity and broadband infrastructure investment and activity. Outreach and Engagement, including establishment of a bi-weekly newsletter, support of the Connect New Mexico Council and its working groups, and new collaboration with statewide associations representing New Mexico municipalities and counties, respectively. Technical Assistance, including establishment of the statewide Digital Navigator Network and Broadband Help Desk programs, as well as creation of community planning and capacity building programs for infrastructure-specific and comprehensive local engagement. Increased Capacity, including additional staff and consultant support to assist the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. Asset Mapping, including identification of broadband and digital equity strengths and resources within each of the state?s 32 counties. Comprehensive Surveys, including ? but is not limited to ? incorporating into all community engagement activity the use a survey instrument designed to collect, at the address level, broadband speed test data, broadband service satisfaction, and any relevant requests of broadband service providers for improved service. Local Coordination, including intentional and integrated engagement with local governments and related stakeholders throughout compilation of the Five-Year Action Plan, Initial and Final proposals, and Digital Equity Plan. The BEAD program will distribute available funding on a formula basis to all 56 states and territories to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs throughout the country. States have an opportunity to impact the formula inputs and thus eventual funding through integrated data collection, engagement, and survey work ? which makes the initial planning funds and activity that follows critically important to realizing the Connect New Mexico vision. Meeting this summer?s milestones will be fundamental to achieving the overall New Mexico state plan of collaboration, innovative approaches, comprehensive middle mile development, support for alternative technologies for hard-to-reach regions, and 100 percent connectivity. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Aug 25 10:23:14 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2022 11:23:14 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] NM Tribal Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants Message-ID: NTIA: NM Tribal Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants Aug. 11, 2022 Announcement Jicarilla Apache Nation Power Authority $6,935,801.00 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 1,051 unserved Native American households, 116 unserved Native American businesses, and 25 community anchor institutions with fiber-to-the home 1Gbps/1Gbps service. Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc.? $43,943,116.00 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 835 unserved Native American households, plus 336 businesses, and 29 community anchor institutions with fiber-to-the home and/or fixed wireless service up to 1Gbps/1Gbps. Pueblo of Isleta $26,033,972.74 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 1,526 unserved Native American households, 54 community anchor institutions, and 10 businesses with fiber-to-the-home and/or fixed wireless to the home 25 Mbps/3Mbps service. Santa Fe Indian School $57,298,683.09 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber connecting the 700 students in grades 7-12 from the 19 Pueblos, Navajo, and Apache Tribes of New Mexico, Zuni Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, and the Pueblo of Zia with fiber-to-the-home 1 Gbps/1 Gbps service.?? Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo $12,775,576.64 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber and connect wireless towers to directly connect 680 unserved Native American households with fiber-to-the-home and/or fixed wireless to the home 25 Mbps/3 Mbps service. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Wed Oct 5 18:11:00 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Wed, 05 Oct 2022 19:11:00 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] NTIA Award to NM Highlands U. Message-ID: <92da62df853cd3fba2beed883833d716@1st-mile.org> New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) in Las Vegas, New Mexico is one of Five Minority-Serving U.S. Colleges and Universities to be awarded just announced funding by the NTIA Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC). Highlands is to receive $2,988,682.27 for "Building Sustainable Technology and Equity Connected Communities through Youth and Adult Workforce Development: the Acequia and Land Grant Education" (ALGE). The project will use digital technology to deliver a culturally responsive curriculum to underserved populations in Northern New Mexico (NMM), and culturally sustaining pedagogy to teachers of students in underserved populations. The CMC grants, directed by NTIA?s Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives, cover costs such as the purchase of high-speed Internet service and eligible equipment, the hiring and training of information technology personnel, and innovation and workforce development efforts. R. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Thu Nov 10 09:56:18 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:56:18 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Amendment 2: Passes Message-ID: Overcoming a major impediment. RL New Mexico Amendment 2 Nov. 2022 Allows lawmakers to fund infrastructure programs. Amends the New Mexico Constitution to allow the Legislature to fund infrastructure for internet, energy, water, wastewater and other similar services. This measure creates an exception to an existing prohibition on aid for individuals, associations and public or private corporations. For: 65.1% 423,889 Against: 34.9% 227,297 --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From josmon at rigozsaurus.com Thu Nov 10 10:43:55 2022 From: josmon at rigozsaurus.com (John Osmon) Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:43:55 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Amendment 2: Passes In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <20221110184355.GH25904@jeeves.rigozsaurus.com> On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 10:56:18AM -0700, Richard Lowenberg wrote: > Overcoming a major impediment. RL > > > New Mexico Amendment 2 > > Nov. 2022 > > Allows lawmakers to fund infrastructure programs. [...] Hooray! Now we just need to remain vigilant to ensure that tax payer money builds *open-access* infrastructure. I have no qualms with entities building private use infrastructure. Private builds allow for efficient use of resources for providers that work top-down to blanket areas they wish to target -- but they typically only do it in the hopes of (near) monopolistic market shares. The bottom-up providers that rise to fill niche areas the "big boys" choose to ignore are an important part of the broadband ecosystem. If public money is being used for infrastructure, the "little guys" should have reasonable barriers of entry to use it. Local businesses with enough savvy should be able to assemble their own networks using this infrastructure as well -- without having to pay for the overhead of a full-service telecom company. Building networks is *hard* in the rural areas. If we pull out the public's money to build infrastructure, we better be ready to defend all of the "public" that might want to use it. From mimcom at sw-ei.com Thu Nov 10 16:32:19 2022 From: mimcom at sw-ei.com (Mimbres Communications) Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2022 17:32:19 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Amendment 2: Passes In-Reply-To: <20221110184355.GH25904@jeeves.rigozsaurus.com> References: <20221110184355.GH25904@jeeves.rigozsaurus.com> Message-ID: On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 11:44 AM John Osmon wrote: > The bottom-up providers that rise to fill niche areas the "big boys" > choose to ignore are an important part of the broadband ecosystem. If > public money is being used for infrastructure, the "little guys" should > have reasonable barriers of entry to use it. > This is something NM has a chance to get right, but making it actually happen will require significant backbone. Federal grant programs come with more-than-onerous letter of credit requirements that are essentially impossible for truly small providers to meet. If NM is willing to accept performance bonds as security for small projects, we'll see robust participation by local businesses. -- Kurt Albershardt | Mimbres Communications, LLC | 575-342-0042 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jbadal at sacredwindnm.com Thu Nov 10 17:02:52 2022 From: jbadal at sacredwindnm.com (John Badal) Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2022 01:02:52 +0000 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Amendment 2: Passes In-Reply-To: References: <20221110184355.GH25904@jeeves.rigozsaurus.com> Message-ID: This amendment was intended to work around what has been called the ?anti donation clause? in our State?s constitution (wrongly interpreted by many to impede public-private partnerships). It?s a good start but we in the industry need to work closely with the state legislature as it now has the authority to appropriate funding for broadband projects. As commented already, there is a risk that the ?big guys? can run away with those projects, but that could occur if 2 things happen: the local guys fail to communicate with our state legislators as much and as well as the big guys, and the local guys fail to collaborate with our local governments and communities. The last point is significant because it may be that any legislative appropriation of funding for broadband will be project specific, targeting specific communities. A question left unanswered by the amendment is who will own the assets of such projects? My layman?s opinion on that is based on what I?ve heard many a State agency attorney has said: public funding can only go to public entities. John From: 1st-mile-nm <1st-mile-nm-bounces at mailman.dcn.org> On Behalf Of Mimbres Communications Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2022 5:32 PM To: 1st-Mile-NM <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org> Subject: Re: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico Amendment 2: Passes On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 11:44 AM John Osmon > wrote: The bottom-up providers that rise to fill niche areas the "big boys" choose to ignore are an important part of the broadband ecosystem. If public money is being used for infrastructure, the "little guys" should have reasonable barriers of entry to use it. This is something NM has a chance to get right, but making it actually happen will require significant backbone. Federal grant programs come with more-than-onerous letter of credit requirements that are essentially impossible for truly small providers to meet. If NM is willing to accept performance bonds as security for small projects, we'll see robust participation by local businesses. -- Kurt Albershardt | Mimbres Communications, LLC | 575-342-0042 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rl at 1st-mile.org Tue Nov 15 09:27:54 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:27:54 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Connect New Mexico Pilot Program Funding Message-ID: <6b7293b4f4c6ca7d405ab2eb01f3eecf@1st-mile.org> New Mexico announced $38.6 million in funding to four providers through its Connect New Mexico Pilot Program. The state funding will be matched by $28.3 million "in nonstate funding" for a total of $66.9 million. The four awards were granted to Comcast, Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative, Ethos Broadband and Socorro Electric Cooperative. The buildout is expected to reach "more than 13,400 homes, businesses, farms, ranches and community institutions," according to a press release from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office, which noted it's the state's "most ambitious broadband expansion effort in history." This is the first batch of funding to be delivered from the state's $120 million Connect New Mexico Pilot Program, funded through the American Rescue Plan. Notably, voters in New Mexico approved a ballot measure last week that exempts Internet infrastructure projects from the state constitution's ban on "lending, pledging credit, or donating to any person, association, or public or private corporation." The governor's office said it's accepting applications for the second wave of funding through December 9, 2022, and for the third wave through February 27, 2023. https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/the-buildout-new-mexico-taps-comcast-electric-co-ops-for-broadband-grants/d/d-id/781741 --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From john at citylinkfiber.com Tue Nov 22 08:39:27 2022 From: john at citylinkfiber.com (John Brown) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2022 09:39:27 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Team Cymru cyber security conference comes to Albuquerque Message-ID: https://www.team-cymru.com/events Team Cymru holds a series of Regional Information Security Events (RISE), as well as an annual conference called Underground Economy. These are exclusive events, centered on threat intelligence, cybercrime and cyber security issues, that include TLP-Amber and -Red case studies. In order to register for one of these events, please apply via the link above. All applicants are vetted prior to being accepted. No Media/Press, No Sales, No Photography/Video From rl at 1st-mile.org Tue Nov 22 15:01:40 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:01:40 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Pueblo of Zia awarded federal broadband grant Message-ID: The Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded 18 grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). The new grants total $224,479,717.83, among 18 tribal entities in 11 states. https://ntia.gov/press-release/2022/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-224-million-high-speed-internet-grants Pueblo of Zia, the latest NM awardee, is to receive $4,695,868.82 The Pueblo of Zia Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber to directly connect 228 unserved Native American households and 13 unserved community anchor institutions with qualifying broadband service with up to 1Gbps symmetrical speeds. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Wed Nov 30 15:36:23 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:36:23 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] San Ildefonso BB Award Message-ID: <6d6e25c1e243f1a5f2661cff627ff6b7@1st-mile.org> The? Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration?(NTIA)?announced today it has awarded nine grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). These new grants, totaling more than $73 million, bring the total of the program to $1.655 billion awarded to 121 Tribal entities. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, these grants will expand high-speed Internet service network deployment and digital skills training to improve access to education, jobs, and healthcare on Tribal lands. San Ildefonso Services, NM Broadband Infrastructure Deployment $4,925,582.00 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber and fixed wireless to directly connect 255 unserved Native American households with qualifying broadband service with up to 1000 Mbps symmetrical speeds. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Mon Dec 12 09:25:12 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:25:12 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] New Mexico is approved to receive $117 million for broadband infrastructure Message-ID: Treasury Announces Two Additional Capital Projects Fund Awards to Increase Access to Affordable, High-Speed Internet https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1152 December 8, 2022 Colorado and New Mexico are approved to receive approximately $288 million under the American Rescue Plan and will connect nearly 60,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. New Mexico is approved to receive $117 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect an estimated 40,611 households and businesses ? representing 21% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. New Mexico?s award will fund the Connect New Mexico Broadband grant program, a competitive grant program that is designed to build broadband infrastructure to areas of the state without access to reliable wireline service. The Connect New Mexico Broadband program /is also designed to provide internet service with speeds of 100/100 Mbps symmetrical to households and businesses upon project completion. Each of the internet service providers funded by the program will participate in the FCC?s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ? a $30 per month subsidy for qualifying households. The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved today represents 88% of the state?s total allocation under the CPF program. New Mexico submitted plans for the remainder of their CPF funds and these applications are currently under review by Treasury. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Mon Dec 19 09:40:19 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:40:19 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] High-Speed Internet Grants for Two More NM Pueblo Tribes Message-ID: <42ecdefa4f20f96b8e0370484a21592c@1st-mile.org> The?Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration? (NTIA) ?announced on Dec. 16 that it has awarded nine more grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-403-million-high-speed-internet-grants-tribal Picuris Pueblo Indian Tribe, NM Broadband Infrastructure Deployment $3,742,991.00 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 79 unserved Native American households, 15 Tribal offices, 2 Tribal businesses, and 3 community anchor institutions with qualifying broadband service with up to 1Gbps symmetrical speeds. Pueblo of Santa Clara, NM Broadband Infrastructure Deployment $9,175,946.00 The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 600 unserved Native American households with fiber to the home service of 1 Gbps symmetrical and 50/10 Mbps wireless service. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Fri Dec 23 14:42:05 2022 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2022 15:42:05 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] =?utf-8?q?NTIA_Awards_=245=2E7_Million_to_NM_in_?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=98Internet_for_All=E2=80=99_Planning_Grants?= Message-ID: <095325b1e44e7612266f8a0cb50f5941@1st-mile.org> Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $5.7 Million to New Mexico in ?Internet for All? Planning Grants DECEMBER 22, 2022 https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-awards-more-57-million-new-mexico-internet-all-planning WASHINGTON ? The Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that New Mexico received its first ?Internet for All? grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration?s Internet for All initiative. New Mexico is receiving $5,740,534.91 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state. "Internet for All initiatives will support the provision of Internet connectivity for all with a focus on connecting unserved and underserved communities," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I commend Governor Lujan Grisham for her work to advance reliable, high-speed Internet throughout New Mexico. This work is imperative to ensure equitable access to educational and economic opportunities." (snip) New Mexico will receive $5 million to fund various activities including: ? Helping close the broadband availability gap and the development of a Five-Year Action Plan; ? Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations; ? Publications, outreach, and communications support; ? Providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events; ? Conducting surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption. The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA?s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts. New Mexico will receive $740,534.91 to fund various activities including: ? Helping close the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan; ? Assessing the current state of digital equity programs across New Mexico; ? Analyzing the needs and barriers to digital equity for all residents, specifically for covered populations; ? Creating measurable objectives to advance digital equity and create impact on state-wide economic development, education, health, civic engagement, and essential services; ? Creating an implementation strategy that includes clear goals and performance measures, prioritizes investments, and articulates governance and oversight for the strategy. (snip) --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------