The municipal governing body of Santa, Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 approved a bill that will allow Vexus Fiber, a provider of 100% fiber optic broadband internet service in more than 30 markets across the south and southwest, to bring its 10-gigabit fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network to residential and commercial locations within the City of Santa Fe.
Vexus Fiber plans to begin build out of the FTTP network in 2022 and estimates full connectivity for all homes and businesses within the City of Santa Fe to take 24-36 months.
"This is a boon for Santa Fe," said Rich Brown, director of economic and community affairs for the city. "It's going to bring fast broadband to residential areas of the city that don't currently have it, and it's going to support our growing tech, film and entrepreneurial communities, and help attract new businesses. And it grows as we grow."
The $35 million investment by Vexus Fiber in the network's construction is estimated to bring 85-90 new jobs to the region; at least 35 of those will be permanent positions.
"We'd like to thank the City of Santa Fe for helping us make this expansion a reality," said Vexus Fiber CEO Jim Gleason. "Vexus is thrilled to bring 100% fiber internet infrastructure to the region. We're also excited about the economic and business development possibilities our services can help bring to the area."
Vexus plans to install the 100% fiber-optic network along existing public rights-of-way, according to the bill, and says the fiber will be located underground or overhead. After buildout of the network within city limits is complete, the company may look to surrounding areas for expansion where feasible.
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber commented, "Santa Fe is fast becoming a dynamic place for forward-thinking institutions. One key piece to our future is reliable, fast broadband for our people to work and live here. This network should play a significant part in forging the path to the future, to make our city have cutting-edge technology that will make Santa Fe even more dynamic."
Vexus Fiber currently operates fiber-to-the-home networks in Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Abilene, and surrounding areas in Texas, as well as Hammond, Covington and Mandeville in Louisiana. The company is building new networks in the Rio Grande Valley, Tyler, Nacogdoches, Laredo and San Angelo, Texas. It is also expanding in Lake Charles, Alexandria and Pineville, Louisiana and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vexus is headquartered in Lubbock, Texas.
