Broadband is now an essential utility, our new information and communications utility.  Broadband Internet has grown from a nice-to-have service to an essential element driving economic development and improved quality of life.  Affordable broadband service must become widely available throughout the county.  

The County's Broadband Vision

We seek to transform Doña Ana County by making affordable broadband Internet, defined as at least 100/20 Mbps for $60/month or less, available to residents.  We want to ensure businesses have access to symmetric gigabit, reliable and cost-effective Internet services that help them thrive and offer better services.  We also support digital literacy to help ensure residents have the skills to take full advantage of the Internet, wherever they live, work, play or vote.

To achieve these goals we want to work with partners to:

• Ensure network backbone infrastructure is built in the correct areas to support equitable expansion of broadband access in the county
• Foster sharing of existing and planned infrastructure with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to help them successfully deploy affordable services to our community
• Support broadband investment through streamlined permitting and dig-once programs at reasonable costs
• Support nonprofit entities focused on equitable Internet access in developing alternatives where providers are unable or unwilling to build their own backbone
• Support our region through Borderplex Connect as a strong advocate of digital access, literacy and equity 

Where are we now?

Our survey indicates that even among residents who have Internet service within the county, fewer than 10% have broadband, as defined above.  Only 37% have service at or above 25/3 Mbps, but still below 100/20 Mbps.  More than half of survey respondents indicated that they have no Internet access at home, with cost being the major limiting factor, followed by lack of service. 

 

The Doña Ana County Broadband Survey is still open.  Help us learn more by taking the survey now!

 

 

The county is also working to update the FCC's national broadband map with data from Doña Ana County. 

You can help too!  Learn how to use the new broadband map here or jump right into the map!

Learn More

Broadband Survey Interactive Dashboard 

Broadband Survey Report 

Doña Ana County Feasibility Study

How to use the FCC Broadband Map: Quick Overview