Transworld Network Receives New Mexico Broadband Grant

"The grant will pay for the construction of wireless towers, fixed wireless access (FWA) infrastructure, and receivers for designated student homes in hard-to-reach parts of the Lordsburg area, with the goal of bringing FWA service to 395 student households that currently lack reliable home internet. Internet service will be provided at no charge for the first three years for participating students and school staff."

"Recently, Connect New Mexico touted that it had the highest percentage increase in residents receiving high-speed broadband - defined as at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload - of any state. The organization points to Ookla research that found that, during the last six months of 2023 and the first six of 2024, there was a 20.52% increase in addresses with broadband access across New Mexico. Colorado was second with an increase of 19.13%."

""These Student Connect funds will change student lives in the Lordsburg area," Neala Krueger, OBAE's state grants program coordinator, said in a prepared statement. "Hundreds of students who attend Lordsburg schools can't do homework online, apply to colleges or access learning resources when they leave school. That's about to change.""

Transworld Network LLC (TWN) will receive a $1.5 million Student Connect grant from the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) to provide high-speed internet to rural students in the Lordsburg Municipal Schools District. The grant will fund wireless towers, fixed wireless access (FWA) infrastructure, and receivers for designated student homes in hard-to-reach parts of the Lordsburg area to bring FWA service to 395 student households lacking reliable home internet. Internet service will be free for the first three years for participating students and school staff. The funding comes from OBAE's Connect New Mexico Fund, created in 2021 with a $25 million appropriation for public school projects. TWN previously received a $1.5 million Student Connect award to connect 484 students in the Silver Consolidated School District. Connect New Mexico reported the largest percentage increase in residents receiving at least 100 Mbps/20 Mbps broadband among states, citing Ookla research showing a 20.52% increase in addresses with broadband access across New Mexico, with Colorado second at 19.13%, and said speed increases are expected to continue.

Read at Telecompetitor