Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative (PVT): Building Connections with Fiber Internet
PVT has been in the business of building connections for more than 100 years.
Founded in 1905 by A.W. Board as the first Hope telephone system, this early network was established to connect the rural residents of Hope, New Mexico. At the time, the switchboard operated out of the living room of Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Altman, serving as the community’s vital link to each other and the outside world. In 1953, the system took a major step forward when it was purchased and officially became Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative (PVT), expanding its reach and impact. Since then, PVT has continuously advanced its mission, building a robust and innovative telecommunications network to serve the region.
Today, PVT provides state-of-the-art broadband and telecommunications services across more than 4,900 square miles, serving our Cooperative exchanges in Cottonwood, Hondo, Hope, Lakewood, Loco Hills, and Mayhill, as well as the larger communities of Artesia, Carlsbad, and Roswell. While we continue to operate the legacy local telephone system, our primary focus is on expanding high-speed broadband connectivity through a cutting-edge fiber-optic network. Thanks to significant federal and state loans and cost share funding awards, we have successfully deployed 680 miles of fiber, strengthening infrastructure and enhancing broadband access for the communities we serve.
“Fiber broadband technology is the most reliable, secure, and scalable infrastructure for future internet needs. It is the best option for telemedicine, education, security, remote employment, and entertainment and is the only technology that increases property values just by having it available.”
– Mitch Hibbard, PVT’s COO
For many rural telecom providers, including PVT, federal and state-funded initiatives such as the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program and USDA’s ReConnect Programs have been instrumental in fulfilling our commitment to expanding fiber-optic infrastructure in rural areas. These programs have enabled us to extend fiber connectivity to 4,049 homes. The funding is essential for upgrading outdated technology that limits access to high-speed internet, ensuring that rural communities stay connected and competitive in the digital age.
PVT is excited about this because fiber broadband technology provides unmatched speeds, better reliability, the ability to offer symmetrical speeds, and lower latency. These benefits of fiber allow us to offer our community quicker file transfers, smoother streaming, and an overall better performance. To dive deeper, fiber optic cables are less susceptible to interference and signal degradation, allowing for a stable connection, even during peak usage. Fiber is an upgrade to copper and satellite connections, which are more likely to be affected by peak usage times, lightning, storms, and electrical interference. Fiber also has the ability to handle significantly higher bandwidths, which is crucial as technology evolves. By choosing fiber, we are investing in a technology that not only meets today’s demands but is also prepared for the future.
While the process of finding funding, building out projects, updating equipment, and servicing our community is our company’s highest priority, it would not be possible without the efforts of our employees. We hire locally and have over 100 employees who live and work in southeastern New Mexico. We believe that our employees bring a unique personalization to our business because we all share a deep commitment to the local community, which allows our employees to provide a personalized approach to servicing the residents within our service areas.
This approach goes beyond a commitment to offering superior services; our company and employees believe in giving back to our community. We donate to and sponsor activities in various schools within our service area, FFA/4H, county fairs, the Artesia General Hospital Fund, United Way, Lions Club, and many more. PVT and its members have also made it possible for more than 105 scholarships to be presented to local students with the PVT Education and PVT Directors’ Memorial Scholarships. Our company also partners with the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS), which offers a one-time scholarship to graduating high school seniors. These scholarships allow us to reinvest in our communities by giving these students opportunities to gain more skills and experience to bring back to our community.
With upgrades to our network and our unwavering support to the youth within our service areas, PVT found a new opportunity for community residents. We have partnered with the Fiber Gaming Network (FGN), promoting the growth of e-sports and gaming. E-sports has seen an abundance of growth in collegiate sports and is quickly becoming popular in high schools around the nation. This development comes from the availability of scholarships and financial aid offered by colleges to talented gamers, covering expenses like tuition, fees and even room and board.
E-sports is not just about the game; it can be used as a building block to help students in a multitude of careers. Skills in gaming have been proven to help students build analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills, to name a few. Students who participate in gaming and e-sports often find careers as software developers, broadband technicians, marketing specialists, or project managers. Being invested in broadband and technology, PVT believes that developing these skills is beneficial for our future workforce.
Through our partnership with FGN, residents within PVT’s internet service area can sign up for a free account with FGN at https://www.fibergamingnetwork.com.
PVT’s commitment to bringing the latest technology, including state-of-the-art fiber internet, to Southeast New Mexico is for everyone in our service areas. By updating our technology and building for our future, we are committing to servicing the tech-savvy, family, work-from-home, empty nester, small office, commercial, enterprise, non-profit, and more. We love being a visible part of our communities and will continue to be committed to bringing the residents of southeastern New Mexico the best that telecommunications has to offer. To find out if you are in a fiber construction area, visit https://www.pvt.com/fiber-construction/.
“PVT is committed to closing the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has the chance to thrive. Southeastern New Mexico has some of the most difficult terrain to build across, and that is why we are dedicating these resources to reaching everyone in our rural communities. We are excited to work towards a future where everyone we serve has high-speed internet access.”
– Jim Meyers, PVT’s Chief Executive Officer
At PVT, our mission goes beyond providing internet—we are investing in the future of our community. From young learners to experienced professionals, we are committed to delivering smart, fast, and reliable connectivity that supports growth, innovation, and a stronger sense of togetherness. By building a future-ready fiber network, we are not just connecting homes and businesses; we are empowering the people we serve with the tools they need to thrive for years to come.
Article written by Jennifer Letcher and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2025 Spring edition.
