AT&T Preps Major Fiber Network Expansion

By Kimberly Koerth

AT&T is working to expand its fiber network to up to 100 cities and other local regions nationwide, including 21 new major metropolitan areas. The fiber network will use AT&T U-verse with GigaPower service, which can deliver broadband speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second as well as TV services to consumers and businesses.

AT&T says it will work with local leaders in these markets to discuss ways to bring the service to their communities. Thoe with suitable network facilities and show the strongest anticipated demand for the service, as well as the most receptive policies, will influence these future selections and coverage maps within selected areas.

The list of 21 metropolitan areas that are candidates includes: Atlanta and Augusta, Ga.; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Cleveland; Fort Worth, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Greensboro, N.C.; Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Oakland, Calif.; Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, San Francisco and San Jose. These are in addition to Dallas, Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem, N.C., which were previously announced, and Austin, Texas which already has fiber service.

“We’re delivering advanced services that offer consumers and small businesses the ability to do more, faster; help communities create a new wave of innovation; and encourage economic development,” said Lori Lee, senior executive vice president, AT&T Home Solutions. “We’re interested in working with communities that appreciate the value of the most advanced technologies and are willing to encourage investment by offering solid investment cases and policies.”

The expanded availability of U-verse with GigaPower is part of AT&T’s Project Velocity IP investment plan to expand and enhance its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks to support growing customer demand for high-speed Internet access, advanced TV services and new mobile and cloud services. AT&T expects that its wired IP broadband network will reach 57 million customer locations in its 22-state wireline footprint by the end of 2015.