Community Broadband Master Plan Guidebook

Figure 11: New Mexico Broadband Mapping Program Speed TestBecause of the federal reporting standards that govern its data collection, the NMBB Map is limited in anumber of ways.First, the map tracks availability only down to the Census block level—which, in rural NewMexico, can represent a large area; if any location in that block can be served, the entire blockwill be shown as served—even though most of the residents do not actually have access. Theavailability of infrastructure within a Census block does, however, offer a guide to thecommunity in terms of what service provider might be well positioned to expand access tonearby residences or businesses.The map relies heavily on self-reporting by the commercial carriers—all of which use differentmethodologies to quantify their service levels.The map does not distinguish between residential broadband and connectivity that is adequatefor institutions, government, and businesses. Small businesses often need higher capacitybroadband than residential users. And, even if broadband is shown on the NMBB Map asavailable to the residential market, it may not be available to the small business market (andvice versa).That being said, the NMBB Map is an invaluable tool for communities seeking to explore their localbroadband supply.NMBB State- and County-Level MapsFollowing every reporting cycle, the NMBB Program aggregates the map data in state- and county-levelreports that are available on the DoIT website(http://www.doit.state.nm.us/broadband/map_statewide.shtml andhttp://www.doit.state.nm.us/broadband/map_county_availability.shtml).NMBB Program: Community Broadband Master Plan Guidebook 11