Santa Fe Standard

Santa Fe, NM- The Santa Fe County Economic Development Division, in collaboration with the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division and the County’s Broadband Working Group, is urging all residents to take part in a broadband survey aimed at enhancing infrastructure and ensuring reliable access to high-speed internet for all County residents.

In a statement, the Santa Fe County Economic Development Division expressed their commitment to understanding the community's internet needs, stating, "We aim to understand the speed and reliability of existing connections to assess community needs accurately."

The County has secured over $675 million in BEAD (Broadband Equity and Access Development) funding from the federal government, with a focus on assisting "unserved" and "underserved" communities. To apply for this funding and effectively plan, the County needs input from constituents regarding their current internet situation. The division emphasized the importance of resident participation, stating, "To do this effectively, we require participants from across the County to test and report on their home and office internet services."

Residents are encouraged to participate in the broadband survey to help prioritize areas that require immediate attention and ensure that efforts align with the community's requirements. The County will submit a BEAD challenge to the state's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and the Federal Communication Commission based on the data collected from the survey.

To participate in the survey, residents can scan the provided QR code or visit the specified website. Additionally, residents can test their internet speed using the provided link. For those interested in in-person assistance, technical partners can be contacted at 505-738-3533 for home or workplace visits.

The Santa Fe County's initiative underscores the importance of community involvement in shaping broadband infrastructure and highlights the significance of reliable internet access for all residents.