ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico achieved the largest year-over-year increase in broadband speeds nationally, according to data from Speedtest by Ookla.
The data compared the last six months of 2023 to the last half of 2024. It showed a 20.5% increase in the number of residents having access to high-speed internet. The threshold for “high-speed internet” is 100/20 Mbps or faster.
South Santa Fe saw a 73% boost attributed to new development from Xfinity cable and NMSurf fixed wireless. Chaparral in Doña Ana and Otero counties saw a 52% increase with five providers offering licensed fixed wireless, cable, and fiber broadband.
Navajo Nation areas north of Gallup, around Coyote Canyon, saw a 40% increase. Meanwhile, Navajo/Ramah, south of Gallup, saw a 33% improvement. Choice Broadband, Ethos and Oso Internet Solutions serve that area.
The OBAE attributes the speed increases to several factors:
More homes and businesses are gaining access to faster internet through new developmentFiber technology prioritized for new broadband locationsBetter latency and better-quality high-speed internetMore New Mexicans are understanding that greater speeds are available
“The boost shows that more New Mexicans are achieving higher, more reliable broadband speeds,” said Jeff Lopez, director of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. “This is a great sign of progress in our mission for wider and faster connectivity.”
The OBAE expects more New Mexicans to get high-speed internet in the next few years.