AT&T Invests More Than $100M Over 3-Year Period to Enhance Local Networks in Augusta Area

Staff Report From Augusta CEO

Monday, May 23rd, 2016

At AT&T, they have invested more than $100 million in our Augusta area wireless and wired networks during 2013-2015. These investments drive upgrades to enhance reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and businesses. They also enhance critical services that support public safety and first responders.

"As a result of our pro-growth, pro-jobs climate and our highly-skilled workforce, Georgia has cemented its reputation as a top place in which to do business. Georgia will continue spurring job creation and economic growth by building upon its strong foundation," said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. "Companies like AT&T, a leader in thoughtful innovation, are crucial to this effort. By making ongoing investments in an already reliable network, AT&T is helping provide Georgians and businesses the tools they need to compete and thrive."

"We're committed to providing our customers fast, reliable, highly secure connectivity. We want them to be able access the Internet at any moment, from almost any device and anywhere," said AT&T Georgia President Bill Leahy. "Our continued investment in the Augusta area and across the state of Georgia brings a host of new, innovative opportunities for residents and businesses."

In 2016, for the second year in a row, FORTUNE magazine recognized AT&T as the Most Admired Telecommunications Company in the world We also placed #48 among the Top 50 World's Most Admired companies in the world. This is our third year in a row on the Top 50 list – AT&T is the only communications company on the list. The company ranked #1 in all 9 attributes. This includes innovation, financial soundness and quality of products/services. FORTUNE's Most Admired Companies lists are among the most highly respected indicators of corporate performance and reputation.

We offer Internet customers a great combination of speed and price. AT&T high-speed Internet customers have access to our entire national AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot Network at no additional charge.  We also offer our award-winning DIRECTV service to eligible locations.  Customers may be eligible for AT&T U-verse TV service, a 100% digital service available over our advanced network. In 2015, Woman's Choice Awards named AT&T U-verse "America's Most Recommended Brand among women for Broadband, Television and Phone Service."

We plan to continue to roll out our fastest Internet services over a 100% fiber network to reach more than 14 million additional residential and commercial locations.

AT&T GigaPower offers our fastest Internet speeds, up to 1Gbps over a 100% fiber network to more than 1.6 million locations across 22 major metro areas.  We've announced plans to expand the availability of Internet speeds up to 1Gbps to homes, apartments and small businesses in parts of 34 additional cities across the U.S. – which will total at least 56 metros served.

We have big plans for 2016. We'll be giving you the ability to access and stream DIRECTV video services over a wired or wireless Internet connection from any provider and from virtually any device – smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, streaming media hardware or PC.  We plan for each service to come with a set number of simultaneous sessions. These services will not require annual contracts, satellite dishes or set-top boxes.

We have an extensive Wi-Fi network with more than 40,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers. And we provide access to Wi-Fi at more 1 million locations around the world. Most AT&T smartphone customers and home Internet customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost. Wi-Fi usage doesn't count towards customers' monthly wireless data plans.