What’s new: In Rhode Island, we invested nearly $100 million in our network infrastructure from 2020-2024 to connect more people to greater possibility.
Cities and communities throughout Rhode Island are seeing the impacts of this investment, including:
- More than $130 million Providence-Warwick
Why it matters: Every American deserves access to fast, reliable connectivity when it matters most – whether it’s an important call to a family member or friend, the internet that powers work or online learning, or the connection that first responders rely on. It’s this connectivity that’s powering economic growth and supporting job creation across America.
Our mission: We’re investing across the country not only to boost network reliability and capacity, but also to expand broadband nationwide to help bridge the digital divide.
How we’re making it happen in Rhode Island: Committed to expanding connectivity, our investment focuses on all facets of the network — including 5G and FirstNet,® Built with AT&T.
- Unlocking the Power of 5G: From rural communities to urban areas, our overall wireless voice and data network covers more than 99% of all Americans, including Rhode Island. Our 5G network using low-band spectrum reaches more than 310 million people in more than 26,100 cities and towns in the U.S.
- We’re working with businesses from manufacturing to healthcare to create new innovations and increase efficiencies with AT&T 5G.
- And we’re also working with AST SpaceMobile to one day offer voice, data, text and video services in remote, off-grid locations.
- We also launched AT&T Internet Air, our fixed wireless home internet service delivered over our 5G network, an all-in-one device that powers strong Wi-Fi coverage in your home.
- Unprecedented Connectivity for First Responders: As public safety’s partner, we are bringing better connectivity to public safety when — and where — they need it. Now with more than 2.99M square miles of coverage, FirstNet has the largest network footprint in the country, covering more first responders than competing commercial networks, and we are only continuing to grow. As part of our 10-year, $8B+ investment initiative with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) to transform public safety’s communications, we’ve completed the buildout of 1,000 new FirstNet sites across the country – well ahead of schedule and almost twice as fast as we pledged – providing first responders with dedicated connectivity on public safety’s Band 14 spectrum. And we’re continuing to expand FirstNet with purpose-built FirstNet sites— based on public safety’s direct feedback and network considerations — focused on rural, tribal and remote areas of the country.
- In Rhode Island, we’re connecting public safety agencies and organizations in nearly 80 localities across Rhode Island.
- We’ve rolled out Band 14 on nearly 150 sites across Rhode Island to provide public safety with truly dedicated coverage and capacity.
And we’re not just investing in our network, we’re also investing in our communities. AT&T announced last year it’s committing an additional $3 billion by 2030 to help close the digital divide, bringing the company’s total commitment to $5 billion since 2021.
- Supported more than 95 digital literacy workshops since 2021 to help community members build skills and confidence using technology.
- Donated $10,000 each to the Newport Boys & Girls Club and Providence Boys & Girls Club for digital literacy programs and devices.
Good news is always great to share. Here are a few highlights from the last year in Rhode Island:
- February 13, 2024 | AT&T and SKPD Host Senior Technology Safety Workshop. Learn more.
- November 2024 | The Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center (EBCC) and AT&T announced a new digital safety initiative focused on the intersection of domestic violence and connected technologies. The kickoff event, held at EBCC’s Warwick headquarters, was attended by Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos; Executive Director of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association Sid Wordell; State Senator Mark McKenney; and other local elected and public safety officials. Learn more.
To keep up with all the latest updates from AT&T Rhode Island, follow us on X @ATTPublicPolicy and on LinkedIn.
*FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
*About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.
