Internet Service Providers in New Mexico

Looking for internet service providers in New Mexico?

The sprawling landscapes of the southwest provide an opportunity for internet service providers (ISPs) to test their capabilities. ISPs serve over two million citizens amid the Rocky Mountains and sweeping deserts. Does the Land of Enchantment have equally enchanting internet connections that are accessible and affordable? Here’s a look at your best options for internet service providers in New Mexico.

Internet Providers Near Me in New Mexico

If you’re in central New Mexico near Albuquerque, you have a few options whether you want fiber, cable or DSL connections. Xfinity and Sparklite offer cable up to 1200 Mbps and 1000 Mbps, respectively. Viasat and HughesNet have satellite options, but you’ll receive lower speeds. CenturyLink is widely available for fiber in the area.

Southeastern citizens closer to Carlsbad have similar satellite options, with Windstream providing DSL connectivity of around 2,000 Mbps. Northerners near Farmington or Red River can seek out Unlimitedville or T-Mobile for 5G LTE home internet, or Frontier for DSL at varying speeds. They also have similar satellite options from leading brands like the rest of the state.

Cheapest Internet Providers in New Mexico

Many providers have multiple plan options, with the cheapest having the lowest speeds. Depending on your needs, it might be enough, especially as the minimum speed expectation for WiFi continues to increase. Here are some of the cheapest options in the state:

Xfinity: Internet Essentials plan gets up to 50 Mbps for $9.95/month with free equipment
Sparklight: Internet 300 plan gets up to 300 Mbps for $39/month for the first six months, then it goes to $70/month
CenturyLink: Simply Unlimited Internet gets up to 100 Mbps for $50/month

Buyers on a budget can also ask their providers about the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps qualifying households and Tribal Lands receive discounts on their internet.

High-Speed Internet Providers in New Mexico

New Mexico’s internet speeds vary due to geographical variances, population density and tech access. The average download speed is around 191 Mbps and 100% of the state can access satellite connectivity.

With high speeds come high prices. The highest theoretical speeds New Mexico could handle are from AT&T — their Internet 5000 plan is minimal but promises 5Gbps of fiber connectivity. Windstream, Spectrum and CenturyLink are more widely available for the state’s standards. They can promise up to 2,000 Mbps, 1,000 Mbps and 940 Mbps, respectively, for less than $100/month.

How Good Is the Internet in New Mexico?

Unfortunately, New Mexico is not known for its internet quality. It ranks amongst some of the nation’s lowest, prompting numerous efforts to help the state boost those numbers. Plenty of New Mexicans still live rurally and 2023 investments from the Biden-Harris administration seek to modernize them with higher internet speeds. Over $40 million will help personal and professional internet use statewide become more level.

The funding to improve infrastructure and access must include education. In the southern part of the state, citizens formed bootcamps to help with internet literacy gaps.

Is There Fiber Internet in New Mexico?

Fiber is the top choice for fast-internet enthusiasts nowadays. A few providers in the state offer it, but it isn’t widely accessible yet. Fiber fans can look to these companies for fiber offerings, though some of these are only available in small portions of the state:

CenturyLink
Leaco
Plateau
Cyber Mesa
Kit Carson
Tularosa
Frontier
Yucca Telecom
TDS Telecom

Who Is the Best Carrier for Internet?

The most well-rounded carrier in New Mexico — given plan offerings, service availability and speeds — comes down to CenturyLink. It’s available in numerous cities, including Las Cruces, Gallup, Clovis, Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, among others.

Plans can vary based on the city, but citizens of Roswell and Deming, for example, can enjoy the fiber internet plan for $70/month with a provided modem. Every area has mostly the same plans with speeds of around 940 Mbps.

Improving Internet Service Providers in New Mexico

New Mexico is increasing its internet reputation. Efforts to increase overall speeds and access will sweep the state in coming years, mainly as infrastructure receives a glow up and more people join the remote-work revolution.

Residents need more complete and faster access to meet demand and catch up with the rest of the United States. Luckily, prospects are looking optimistic for internet service providers in New Mexico.