§ 9-27-13. Telecommunications services

A. The secretary of information technology may hire a communications engineer to oversee the engineering responsibilities of the department of information technology. The communications engineer shall have a degree in either electrical engineering with an electrical communications specialty or in electronics engineering. B. In providing telecommunications services pursuant to Chapter 15 NMSA 1978 , the department of information technology shall not provide telecommunications services, including telephone, data and broadband services, to an entity other than those authorized pursuant to Section 15-5-1 NMSA 1978 , except as is necessary to facilitate a state-mandated program, including distance education, telehealth or school-based health center programs. Before expansion or upgrade of a state-owned or state-funded telecommunications network, whether voice, data or video transmission, the department shall prepare a plan consistent with state law and applicable rules that includes an assessment of how the project would potentially affect local telecommunications service providers and telecommunications service ratepayers.