NMSurf, a veteran-owned internet service provider in New Mexico, today urged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to curb wasteful overbuilding of broadband networks funded by BEAD.
The company notes that in July the state Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) required providers to submit detailed technical data within a seven-day window, including subscriber-level information such as EIRP and antenna heights, a request NMSurf says was burdensome and impractical for small providers.
NMSurf argues it already delivers BEAD-compliant broadband across much of its footprint, meeting the BEAD standards of at least 100 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload, and latency under 100 ms. It also urges policymakers to rely on FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) maps, which it says accurately reflect current coverage and have been funded by taxpayers.
“Taxpayer dollars should go to connecting the unserved, not to duplicating service where it already exists,” said Albert Catanach, Founder and CEO of NMSurf. “NTIA must prevent wasteful overbuilding and ensure that veteran-owned providers like NMSurf are not disadvantaged by unrealistic procedural requirements. The FCC maps already prove where service exists — they should be used as the standard.”
NMSurf calls on NTIA to require reliance on FCC mapping, pause BEAD funding for areas already served, and ensure equitable treatment for veteran-owned small ISPs in New Mexico and across the country.
About NMSurf
NMSurf is a veteran-owned internet service provider serving communities across New Mexico with reliable fixed wireless and fiber broadband. Founded with a mission to connect rural and underserved areas, NMSurf provides cost-effective and sustainable solutions that meet today’s broadband performance standards.
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