News
COVID-19: NM Internet Service Provider Offerings
March 17, 2020
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Distance Learning in Times of COVID-19: The Need for Broadband
SFIS is proud to support virtual teaching and learning during the school closure. Between staff and students we have distributed upwards of 600 devices and growing. We have enhanced our video-conferencing capabilities through the use of Zoom and Google Meets. We conducted our first virtual staff meeting with upwards of 250 participants. The Google Classroom is in full and active use with studentds submitting homework on-line.
That said, for the home Internet challenged, access to broadband is a battle. The tribal libraries in the Pueblos remain the best chance to access high-speed Internet now that a majority of the tribal libraries have fiber-optic broadband. Many of the Pueblos have embraced parking lot wi-fi with users connecting from their vehicles or on custom built wifi patios. As of today, there is an increasing number of Pueblos closing to outsiders and a growing number of libraries closing in general. Please follow the Governors' guidance on library use.
Additionally, Internet Service Providers nationally are addressing distance learning and telecommuting on their own. FCC Chairmain Pai created a pledge that includes ISP comitment to help in these trying times. Above and beyond the pledge, ISPs were encouraged to remove data caps and expand low-income programs among other things. Below is a list of ISP offerings that we know of to date to apply to the next 60 days in most cases. Spoiler Alert: Many of these offerings are not very helpful as these providers have neglected to build out of tribal lands hence the digital divide in the first place.
Possible Help in the Pueblos
- Tribal Libraries! Inside or outside in the parking lot.
- MintMobil: Pre-paid service offering free unlimited data. Free Unlimited Data for All
- T-Mobile (Spotty) - Is assisting education with wireless hotspots to include Unlimited Data options for schools and students through their EmPowerED 2.0 program.
- AT&T (Spotty): Lifting data caps. Access from AT&T offers low-cost wired home internet service to qualifying residents who participate in SNAP.
- CyberMesa (Santa Fe and north): Cybermesa is available to install outdoor WiFi mesh to allow access outside of buildings.
- New Mexico Surf (Likely in the north): User plans do not have data caps and they have doubled bandwidth to all their locations to better support more traffic.
- Sacred Wind (Western NM): Will broadband speeds to 25/3 Mbps for all current customers subscribing below that threshold at no extra charge to the customer, where possible. Sacred Wind will install one or more WiFi hotspots in McKinley County as needed and within line of sight of our current wireless infrastructure for emergency response or medical testing sites.
Possible Help in the Cities:
- Comcast Xfinity - Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone offers access to hotpot locations (lots in Santa Fe & Abq), Unlimited Data on Current Account Plans, Internet Essentials low in come program is free (usually $9.95/mo) for two months
- City Link (Abq) - Plans do not have data caps, payment plan options for subscribers. As a New Mexico Company, City Link is willing to work with social service entities (FIT, ECN, CDD, and others) to support tele-medicine / teleworking needs. If they are in an area we can service will install at NO COST and provide the service, up to 25Mb/s for FREE during this emergency.
- CenturyLink will provide discounted Home internet service for $9.95/month.
Still waiting to hear on Verizon. Will post more as more information it becomes available.
Update from the NM State Library:
"Below is a list of libraries that have closed across the State. While these libraries are now closed to the public, some of them have staff still working and patrons may be able to call and get updates as needed. Additionally, it seems that most, if not all, will continue to keep their WiFi on 24/7. "
Closed as of 3/18:
- Acoma
- Alamogordo
- Albuquerque
- Artesia
- Belen
- Town of Bernalillo
- Carnegie (Las Vegas)
- Carrizozo
- Capitan
- City of Anthony Public Library
- Clovis-Carver
- Columbus
- Corrales
- David F. Cargo El Valle de Anton Chico
- David F. Cargo Villanueva
- Edgewood Community Library
- Eleanor Daggett Memorial (Chama)
- El Rito
- Embudo Valley
- Estancia
- Gila Valley
- Irene S. Sweetkind (Cochiti Lake)
- Jemez Springs
- Laguna Public Library
- Los Alamos
- Los Lunas
- Marshall Memorial (Deming)
- Octavia Fellin (Gallup)
- Pueblo de Cochiti
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Questa
- Rio Rancho
- Roswell
- Ruidoso
- Santa Ana Pueblo Community Library
- Santa Clara Pueblo Community Library
- Sandia
- Santa Fe
- Shuter (Angel Fire)
- Silver City
- Socorro
- Sunland Park
- Taos
- Thomas Branigan Memorial (Las Cruces)
- Truth or Consequence
- Tucumcari
- Tularosa
- Vista Grande (Eldorado)
- Zuni
- New Mexico State Library and all bookmobiles