Kit Carson Electric Signs New Mexico's First BEAD Fiber Deal: 3,935 Rural Homes in 5 Counties

Thousands of rural homes in northern New Mexico are on track for fiber internet. Kit Carson Electric Cooperative has become the first provider to sign a grant agreement under New Mexico's share of the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the state's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced on October 14, 2026. The deal clears the way for fiber to 3,935 homes, businesses and community buildings in Colfax, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Taos counties.

What the Kit Carson BEAD grant covers

The Taos-based electric co-op received a $26,988,097 BEAD grant and will add more than $12 million of its own money as a match. The project will connect:

• 1,970 unserved locations, meaning places with no broadband or speeds under 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up
• 1,965 underserved locations, meaning places without reliable wired or fixed wireless service of at least 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up
• 31 community anchor institutions, including fire departments, libraries, medical centers, schools and government offices

Kit Carson will build 1,035 miles of fiber, with 931 miles on poles and 104 miles underground. "This is huge breakthrough in our years-long quest to use BEAD funding to steer New Mexico toward 100% connectivity," OBAE Director Jeff Lopez said in the announcement.

When construction starts

Don't expect a fiber crew on your road next month. Before construction begins, Kit Carson has to finish environmental reviews, permitting, Tribal and historic certifications and site preparation. OBAE will monitor the work, which is expected to be finished in 2030. Kit Carson says it will work with communities along the route to let residents know when service is coming.

The co-op is already building in parts of its service area. Kit Carson Internet says it is expanding across Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties this year, with construction in Abiquiu, Gallina, Menales and Chama, and it's taking pre-registrations for its $0 installation offer, which depends on your address and grant funding.

New Mexico's other BEAD projects

Kit Carson's is the first of 19 BEAD projects awarded to 15 providers in New Mexico. The state had originally awarded 31 projects covering more than 42,500 locations, but it rescinded 11 awards to one company and another provider withdrew an application, so OBAE is picking new providers for those locations. The Navajo Nation received the state's largest award at $111 million. Across New Mexico, BEAD projects will use fiber, fixed wireless and low-Earth-orbit satellite in 32 of the state's 33 counties.

The federal government approved $382 million of New Mexico's $675 million BEAD allocation for broadband construction in January 2026. If you're following other state programs, our story on New Mexico's public Wi-Fi grants covers a separate effort.

Kit Carson Internet plans and prices

Kit Carson Internet is the co-op's fiber subsidiary and serves more than 15,000 members. After an April 2026 upgrade that doubled speeds on many plans, residential fiber starts at $50 a month for 100 Mbps with matching upload speed, according to its May 2026 newsletter. Faster tiers include 250 Mbps, 500 Mbps and 1 Gig, all with symmetrical speeds and no data caps. Fiber and digital voice bundles start at $70 a month, and digital phone service is $20 a month when bundled. See our Kit Carson Internet provider page for coverage.

Other internet options in northern New Mexico

Until BEAD fiber reaches your road, your choices depend heavily on where you live. In and around Taos, FCC-based data lists Xfinity cable, CenturyLink DSL, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T 5G home internet, and local fixed wireless providers such as TaosNet and XNET WiFi. Our Taos internet providers page lists every plan we track there.

Farther out in the mountains and mesas, satellite is often the only option that reaches the house:

• Starlink: low-orbit satellite service. Residential plans were $55, $85 and $130 a month as of October 2026, according to Starlink's plan pages, plus equipment. Our Starlink guide covers setup and speeds.
• Viasat: through RSINC, Viasat is guaranteed at 80 Mbps down and 3 to 5 Mbps up at all times, and its newest satellite is running faster than that floor during its first year. Plans start at $39.99 a month for the first 12 months, plus a $15 monthly equipment lease, as of October 2026. See how much Viasat costs.
• Hughesnet: plans start at $39.99 a month for the first 12 months with autopay, as of October 2026, with a 12- or 24-month term and equipment extra. Our guide to Hughesnet data limits explains how its Priority Data works.

Our Starlink in New Mexico guide covers how satellite works across the state.

Frequently asked questions

What did Kit Carson Electric sign?

On October 14, 2026, New Mexico's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion announced that Kit Carson Electric Cooperative became the first provider to sign a BEAD grant agreement with the state. The co-op received $26,988,097 to build fiber to 3,935 locations.

Which counties are included?

The project covers locations in Colfax, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Taos counties in northern New Mexico.

When will the new fiber be ready?

Not right away. Kit Carson first has to finish environmental reviews, permitting, Tribal and historic certifications and site preparation. The state expects the project to be finished in 2030.

How much does Kit Carson Internet cost today?

Kit Carson Internet's residential fiber plans start at $50 a month for 100 Mbps download and upload, according to the co-op's May 2026 newsletter, with faster 250 Mbps, 500 Mbps and 1 Gig tiers. Fiber and digital voice bundles start at $70 a month.

Is this the only BEAD project in New Mexico?

No. It's the first of 19 BEAD projects awarded to 15 providers across the state. New Mexico's BEAD projects use fiber, fixed wireless and low-Earth-orbit satellite and reach 32 of the state's 33 counties.

What can I get while I wait for BEAD fiber?

Depending on your address, you may already have Kit Carson fiber, Xfinity cable in Taos, 5G home internet from T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T, local fixed wireless, or satellite. Viasat through RSINC is guaranteed at 80 Mbps down and 3 to 5 Mbps up. Call 1-877-697-2926 to compare plans at your address.