AT&Tprojectbridgingdigitaldivide
AT&T has expanded fiber to nearly 800 locations in Arcadia and more than 200 locations in Richland Parish as part of a $22 million public-private project with the State of Louisiana to bring fiber to more than 10,000 customer locations in parts of 13 parishes.
The projects in Arcadia and Richland Parish are in collaboration with the State’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities program. The GUMBO program utilizes federal funds from the American Rescue Plan and matching investments from private providers to facilitate the deployment of broadband service to unserved locations across Louisiana.
These public-private collaborations are examples of AT&T’s work with state and local governments looking to expand broadband access.
Under the agreement signed in November 2022, the State contributed $11 million in public funds to the project and AT&T contributed the remaining $11 million.
“This broadband expansion is a testament to what we can do when we join forces,” said State Representative Francis Thompson. “The project will connect more Louisianans to vital online resources and services, bridging the digital divide.”
“By working together, public and private entities are bringing high-speed fiber optics to areas that need it most,” said State Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews. “This initiative will provide countless opportunities for education, business and communication.”
“This public-private collaboration is a powerful example of our community’s resilience and determination,” said State Representative Rashid Young. “It’s about more than just improving internet speed; it’s about unlocking potential, fostering growth, and bridging the gap between our present and future.”
“This fiber-optic expansion is a testament to what we can achieve when public goals align with private expertise,” said State Senator Jay Luneau. “It’s a step toward ensuring that our community is not left behind in the digital era but is instead at the forefront, ready to lead and innovate.”
“We’re so appreciative that the State trusted us with this transformative project,” said David Aubrey, president, AT&T Louisiana. “At AT&T, we believe in the power of fiber to transform lives, that’s why we have invested nearly $2.1 billion in the state over the last 5-years to expand and upgrade our networks. Investment that has helped grow our fiber footprint across the state to more than 660,000 homes and small businesses.”
AT&T Fiber is the fastest internet in the nation, according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report. 1 AT&T Fiber delivers speeds of up to 5-Gigs2 paired with network reliability for everyday needs. Customers can connect multiple devices, stream multiple entertainment sources, quickly upload content to social media and experience ultra-low lag for pro-level gaming – all at the same time.
AT&T is committed to connecting more Americans to reliable, high-speed internet.
This includes offering a variety of flexible plans available at a great value, such as Access from AT&T which offers speeds up to 100Mbps for $30/month plus tax and fees.
