Government officials, business community tout AT&T's $1.5B investment in Alabama

In recent years, AT&T has displayed its commitment to expanding its presence in Alabama by making significant investments in the state’s digital infrastructure.

Demonstrating its dedication to closing the digital gap for Alabamians, the telecommunications giant invested nearly $1.5 billion in Yellowhammer State wireless and wireline networks from 2019 to 2021.

The following are AT&T’s approximate investments in Alabama cities and communities:

Birmingham-Hoover metro area: $600 million
Mobile area: $80 million
Tuscaloosa area: $45 million

The multi-million dollar investments include all facets of the network, which covers platforms such as fiber and 5G, as well as FirstNet, which is the company’s public safety infrastructure service.

AT&T expanded fiber availability to more than 40,000 new locations in Alabama in 2021. Over 475,000 customer locations in the state have access to AT&T Fiber.

Regarding 5G+, the telecommunications powerhouse advised in an announcement that it had delivered ultra-fast speeds and performances in high traffic areas including parts of more than 45 cities and 40 stadiums and venues nationwide, including Birmingham.

In a statement, Business Council of Alabama interim executive director Robin Stone asserted that AT&T’s investments would serve to drive future economic growth in the state.

“AT&T’s investment in Alabama for more than 140 years is a testament to their commitment to the state and to connecting Alabama’s communities,” said Stone. “In today’s 21st century economy, connectivity is essential, and AT&T’s continued investments help pave the way for future economic growth and job creation across Alabama.”

In addition to consumer and business digital infrastructure, nearly all of Alabama is covered by FirstNet, which has connected public safety agencies and organizations in more than 210 communities across the state.

The service provides always-on priority and preemption to first responder communities across the United States.

AT&T Alabama president Wayne Hutchens touched on the company’s commitment to ensuring that the first responder community had access to the resources necessary to carry out public safety operations.

“Alabama’s first responders deserve reliable coverage across the state to help them effectively and efficiently address incidents,” said Hutchens in a release. “And with FirstNet, that’s exactly what they’re getting. We’re proud to support our first responders by bringing greater access to the connectivity they need to protect Alabama residents and communities.”

According to Gov. Kay Ivey, FirstNet has proven instrumental in enabling Alabama public safety officials to meet the needs of the citizenry.

“In today’s world, connectivity is essential, especially in times of emergency,” declared the governor. “With a dedicated communications platform and access to a fleet of deployable assets, FirstNet, Built with AT&T gives our first responders and public safety officials the communications tools they need to protect Alabamians.”

Lisa Casias, acting CEO of FirstNet Authority, highlighted the company’s efforts to learn about the unique challenges facing Alabama’s first responder community.

“FirstNet is a dedicated broadband platform for public safety, by public safety,” stated Casias. “We worked hand-in-hand with the Alabama public safety community to understand their needs for the network. And this new infrastructure is a prime example of how that input and feedback is becoming reality. We look forward to supporting Alabama first responders’ use of FirstNet to help them save lives and protect our communities.”

Oxford Police Department chief Bill Partridge called the telecommunication company’s public safety connectivity service a “gamechanger.”

“At the City of Oxford Police Department, technology and innovation drive how we protect our community and deliver intelligence-led policing,” advised Partridge. “FirstNet, Built by AT&T is a gamechanger in how we utilize technology, giving our law enforcement and public safety officials strengthened connectivity to keep our community safe.”

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL