CELLULAR ONE® Awarded Over $4 Million by New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission to Enhance Digital Equity, Expanding Mobile Broadband Access for Underserved Rural and Tribal Communities
Regional Carrier is Dedicated to Closing the Digital Divide in the Southwest

 Smith Bagley, Inc. (SBI), the Northern Arizona company that owns Cellular One, Sunstate Technology Group, and PHOTON™ by SBi is proud to announce that the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has awarded the company 9 new projects, including build out of 6 new towers. The awards also include 3 fiber upgrade projects which will deliver fiber to 8 existing sites. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the company has been awarded broadband projects from New Mexico’s PRC. In fact, due to its technical competency and in-depth knowledge of the region, SBi has been awarded 39 projects by the PRC since 2018.

“Our team is proud to support the New Mexico PRC in its goal to steadily expand and enhance broadband internet in rural areas where it’s currently challenging or impossible to access internet or mobile data,” said Judd Hinkle, CEO of Cellular One (SBi). 

“Delivering access to this technology certainly sets the stage for digital equity and that has always been at the heart of our mission as a company—before the term even existed. Reliable mobile broadband lends strength to our rural healthcare, public safety, and educational systems—as well as supporting the overall functionality of our business community and economy. We are pleased that the New Mexico PRC recognizes our track record of competency and completing a variety of projects in a timely manner,” added Hinkle.

The New Mexico Broadband Program, which is managed by the telecommunications bureau of the New Mexico PRC, was officially formed in 2017. The goal of the New Mexico PRC is to bring New Mexican consumers access to high-quality broadband service from both wireline and mobile broadband providers. The New Mexico PRC utilizes the help of eligible telecommunications carriers through the Commission’s Broadband Fund Program which provides funds for the construction of facilities that provide broadband internet to unserved and underserved communities throughout New Mexico.