Telecommunications

With fiber optic cable stretching from corner-to-corner and border-to-border, the state of New Mexico, and especially the Metro region, offers:

• very competitive telecommunications rates
• system and path redundancy
• secure, high-speed data transport
• 100% digitally-switched telecommunications networks
• multiple DSL and ISP options.

The Strategic Telecommunications Alliance Resource Team (START) works closely with the economic development community to provide essential services to relocating and expanding businesses by tracking and documenting the high-tech communications network of Metro New Mexico. 

Fiber Optic

Albuquerque obtains fiber optic from a number of providers across the country. High density business areas such as Downtown, the North I-25 Corridor, and Uptown are served by multiple telecommunications companies that own fiber optic cables, thus lowering connectivity costs. In early 2007, the state entered National LambdaRail, a nationwide fiber optic network that will provide state researchers and businesses with hig-speed computer links.

CLECs

Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) offer wholesale digital services ranging from DS1 to OC12, as well as dial-up, DSL, and high-speed point-to-point and Internet access:

• Qwest
• Time-Warner
• Xsped/ius
• Zianet

Other Telecommunications

Peering Points/Telecommunications Hotels:

• 505 Marquette
• Big Byte
• OSO Secure Colocation
• Sandia Science and Technology Parks (offers managed point-to-point Internet services and WAN connections)

Long distance carriers with facilities in New Mexico include:

• AT&T
• Sprint

Local Service

Qwest Communications, the regional operating company for the state of New Mexico, connects customers in New Mexico through 77,000 miles of fiber optic cable. For more information, call 800-526-3557 (development center) or 505-245-5500 (local marketing office).

The Qwest Communications telephony network:

• includes high capacity, digital voice, video and data services, such as frame relay, ISDN, ISDN Primary Rate Service, T-1, LAN switching service, ATM switching, Private Line DS1 and DS3, and business Internet access
• has an integrated hierarchical, self-healing, SONET fiber-optic ring
• utilizes state-of-the-art Lucent 5ESS telephone switches.

Digital Subscriber Lines and Internet Service Providers

Wireless Internet Service Providers

Wireless Internet Access
Clearwire Technologies, Inc. provides high speed wireless DSL access in Albuquerque, with quick 3-5 day hookups through local ISPs:

• USI Net
• New Mexico Fiber
• NMCG Net
• Oso Grande
• Spinn.net
• Silicon Desert
• NM Internet Access
• iHighway.net
• Wireless Web service is available to Albuquerque cell phone users through Sprint PCS, AirTouch, and Cellular One

Azulstar has installed a city-wide wireless network in Rio Rancho as a way to allow residents and businesses to access high speed wireless Internet from anywhere in the city. The company will also offer mobile and stationary telephone services. The Albuquerque Sunport offers free wireless access throughout the airport terminal.

Broadband Cable Internet Access

Multiple providers offer high-speed Internet access to both businesses and residences within the Metro area:

• Comcast Cable in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Lunas; high-speed Internet service for businesses with large numbers of employees called Comcast Teleworker, in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
• AOL Broadband in Belen and Los Lunas
• Cable One in Rio Rancho.