New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission announced on Thursday the start of rulemaking for a statewide program to offer internet discounts to low-income residents by the end of the year.
The Legislature earlier this yearpassed the lawcreating theLow‑Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, which will be administered through the stateOffice of Broadband Access and Expansion.
The proposed rules would require internet providers approved by the state to inform customers of potential discounts — up to $30 for eligible customers and up to $70 on Tribal lands — and then verify their income eligibility through federal databases. Once awarded, the providers could receive reimbursement through the State Rural Universal Service Fund.
That fund, the news release said, has $10 million for the first year of the program, and the PRC can authorize up to $45 million annually thereafter. Approximately 27,000 households could benefit in year one, with potentially more than 100,000 households ultimately receiving discounts.
The PRC is taking comments on the proposed rule through Sept. 11, after which a hearing on the comments will be held on Oct. 1.
“This program will help address affordability challenges faced by New Mexico families,” OBAE Director Jeff Lopez said in a statement, adding that he was “confident” that starting in December, “low-income families will have a new resource to ensure their household stays connected to all the critical services that broadband provides including education, healthcare, and workforce training.
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