Investing in our Communities
In Maine, we invested nearly $175 million in our network infrastructure from 2019-2023 to connect more people to greater possibility.
Cities and communities throughout Maine are seeing the impacts of this investment, including:
- More than $10 million for Augusta-Waterville, ME
- More than $50 million for Portland-South Portland, ME
We understand how a connection can make the difference. That’s why our mission is to bring connectivity to everyone, no matter where they live or where they come from. We’re working to not only boost network reliability and capacity but also expand broadband nationwide to help bridge the digital divide.
Committed to expanding connectivity, our investment focuses on all facets of the network —including fiber, 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 Maine. Our 5G network today reaches more than 295 million people in more than 24,500 cities and towns across the U.S. with our mid-band spectrum available nationwide, covering more than 210 million people.
- Giving First Responders the Reliable Connectivity they Need: As America’s public safety communication partner, we are expanding and enhancing FirstNet to give the public safety community better access to their network. Setting the stage for first responder innovation over the next 10 years, the FirstNet Authority announced a series of strategic investments totaling more than $8 billion into FirstNet. The latest network investment of $6.3 billion will enable AT&T to deliver a standalone FirstNet 5G core, provide always-on priority and preemption across all AT&T 5G commercial spectrum bands and build 1,000 new FirstNet sites across the country over the next two years.
- In Maine, we’re connecting public safety agencies, first responders, and organizations in more than 120 cities across the state, including Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport, Lewiston, York and more.
- We’ve rolled out Band 14 on more than 500 sites across Maine to provide public safety with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it.
And, we’re not just investing in our network, we’re also investing in our communities. AT&T recently announced 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.
Good news is always great to share. Here are some highlights from the last year in Maine:
Helping close the Digital Divide in Maine: AT&T worked with several community organizations across Maine in 2023, supporting efforts to close the digital divide, assist career-seeking students and more. A $9,000 donation to Maine 4H went to a digital divide program that provided equipment to students who were taking courses at home. And nearly $12,000 supported Jobs for Maine Grads (JMG) new EMS training program, which gives Maine students firsthand experience in public safety and emergency management careers.
Comfort Dog Program: Recently, AT&T collaborated with the Maine Bureau of Emergency Communications on their statewide comfort dog program. The result was Baxter, a Labrador Retriever, who came to the department through nonprofit organization Hero Pups. Baxter underwent training and joined the public safety agency full time in 2023. Baxter has been providing health and mood-boosting benefits to Maine’s Emergency Telecommunicators, and to the community.
To keep up with all the latest updates from AT&T Maine, follow us on Twitter @ATTPublicPolicy and @ATTNewEngland, 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.
