The City of Albuquerque recently issued licensee agreements for multiple fiber optic providers as a means of enabling high-speed access to its residents. Having fiber to the home options allows a resident to more fully utilize services such as telemedicine, educational opportunities and remote work. However, along with the influx of fiber optics construction came an influx of construction complaints.
The nature of the complaints included genuine issues of damage to property and infrastructure, incomplete or slow restoration activities, and unmarked/unidentified personnel. Other residents stated subcontractors’ vehicles were not clearly identifiable at these sites. The complaints also included issues stemming from resident misunderstandings or lack of knowledge regarding easements, rights-of-way and locate/facility marking practices. Very few residents were familiar with the State of New Mexico Excavation Laws or City of Albuquerque Ordinances.
During a public town hall meeting, residents described broken waterlines, persistent damage and lack of follow-up from the fiber companies. The City issued stop-work orders that prevented some of the fiber contractors from obtaining permits for new installations. On May 19, 2025, the City also enacted new and stricter regulations for fiber companies working within Albuquerque.
Key elements of the new regulations included proof that residents were notified before work began. All contractor vehicles must clearly display identification (provider name), workers’ uniforms must be labeled and work-hour restrictions. Faster complaint resolution: providers must respond within 24 hours with a fix or a timeline. Restoration/clean-up standards: e.g., softscape or asphalt must be repaired quickly (temporary in 72 hours, permanent in 15 days) in many cases. Third-party inspectors (approved by the city) must verify compliance. Finally, enforcement tools: fines, stop-work orders, permit revocation or license loss are possible.
At the May 2025 meeting, a temporary moratorium was passed on issuing new fiber installation permits. The City Council set up a working group to review permitting criteria and standards. While the City Council was overwhelmingly in favor of bringing fiber to the city’s residents, the Council’s commitment was to protect their residents and the vital underground infrastructure their residents depended on.
The temporary moratorium identified in Resolution R-25-154 that was set to go into effect September 1, 2025, was rescinded via Resolution R-25-181 on August 18, and according to the Council, “allows work to continue while recommendations from the working group are considered.”
The working group was made up of the fiber contractors, utility providers responsible for marking their utility lines, identified City departments, NM811, as well as the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC), through its Pipeline Safety Bureau (PSB).
While the City is increasing its oversight through existing departments, the PSB has partnered with city officials to improve expectations and enforcement. Since January, more than $150,000 in fines have been assessed for safety and/or excavation violations of New Mexico law.
The PSB has the authority to investigate, issue probable violations and enforce through fines or other means as part of its mission to ensure compliance with both federal and state pipeline safety regulations and the State Excavation Damage Prevention Law. The PSB provides a state-level enforcement backstop beyond what the City of Albuquerque can do. By doing so, they help hold fiber contractors accountable for safety risks, potential utility damages and compliance failures.
The good news for residents impacted by the construction is that the PSB is pushing for more than just penalties; they want contractors to change how they operate and their overall safety culture. The partnership between PSB and the city government is strengthening; the new city rules, plus PSB’s enforcement, create a stronger regulatory environment for fiber contractors working in Albuquerque and beyond in New Mexico.