High-speed “Fixed Wireless Internet” for rural and underserved locations is now available to residents and small businesses in parts of 39 counties across the state of Alabama, per a press release issued on Tuesday.
Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-4), whose district spans a vast, relatively rural stretch of the Yellowhammer State, applauded the news and stressed the importance of quality, affordable internet access for all Alabamians.
“In today’s digital economy, access to reliable broadband service is critical,” Aderholt said. “My colleagues and I are working hard to create an environment that supports private investment and enhanced broadband access for all Alabamians. I applaud AT&T’s continued investment and am pleased Fixed Wireless Internet is now available in parts of 39 Alabama counties.”
He continued, “With the use of multiple technologies across Alabama, we will close the access gaps that exist in some of our rural communities.”
Fixed Wireless Internet service delivers an internet connection with download speeds of at least 10Mbps and upload speeds of at least 1Mbps. The connection comes from a wireless tower to a fixed antenna on a customer’s home or business. The company explains that this is an efficient way to deliver high-quality, high-speed internet to customers living in underserved, rural areas.
“AT&T’s Fixed Wireless Internet is offering my family more options in our everyday lives, at an affordable price,” Shannon Ary, a current customer, said. “With FWI, my husband and I can now work from home, which is life-changing, and our children have increased access to educational tools at home, not to mention videos and gaming with friends. We are excited to have access to this innovative technology and pleased AT&T continues to enhance high-speed connectivity in Arkadelphia and other rural communities across Alabama.”
The towers used to provide this important service are connected to AT&T’s network using the company’s fiber optics. AT&T has more than 2 million strand miles of fiber optics covering Alabama.
Parts of the following 39 counties in Alabama are now eligible for AT&T Fixed Wireless Internet service:
- Autauga
- Baldwin
- Barbour
- Bibb
- Blount
- Butler
- Calhoun
- Chambers
- Chilton
- Colbert
- Coosa
- Cullman
- Dallas
- Elmore
- Escambia
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Greene
- Hale
- Jefferson
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Lee
- Limestone
- Lowndes
- Macon
- Marengo
- Mobile
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Russell
- Shelby
- Sumter
- Talladega
- Tallapoosa
- Tuscaloosa
- Walker
- Washington
- Winston
“Our elected officials have created an environment that welcomes this level of innovation from AT&T and others in the private sector,” Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Economic Development Authority, explained. “But, we must remember that the communications industry is rapidly changing. Alabama must remove barriers to infrastructure deployment – to pave the way for small cell deployment and future technologies such as 5G and AirGig, which could be a gamechanger for rural Alabama.”
AT&T Alabama’s president Wayne Hutchens praised the hardworking Alabamians who make their services possible.
“The thousands of dedicated men and women who work for AT&T and call Alabama home are proud to work with our state’s leadership to provide the connectivity Alabama’s residents and businesses demand,” Hutchens said. “Through this innovative service, we are helping close the remaining gap in our state.”
To learn more about Fixed Wireless Internet, click here.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
