My name is Bob Digneo and I am External Affairs Director for AT&T New Mexico. If you’ll give me just a few moments of your time, I’ll give you an update on a number of things happening at AT&T New Mexico that I think you might be interested in.
Sincerely,
Bob Digneo
Director, External Affairs – AT&T New Mexico
Getting more students connected
While the homework gap has existed for decades, COVID-19 has brought national awareness to the problem. Although networks have performed well during the pandemic, many rural and low-income families don’t have the internet access they need to work and learn. AT&T believes in the equality of education and connection is at our core. That’s why we’re working to level the playing field.
Recently, we introduced a new discounted $15/month wireless plan for schools, a huge price reduction from our standard rates. You can find the details here.
We also announced a new, nationwide $10 million contribution and collaboration with Connected Nation to provide internet connectivity and devices to underserved communities. We encourage New Mexico schools and nonprofits who serve at-risk kids to click here for more details on how to apply for these grants.
Helping New Mexicans
Whether it’s helping those particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or addressing social injustice, we continue to collaborate with non-profits to provide our communities with resources they need. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation are proud to have contributed more than $170,0001 in 2020 to the following organizations to support their efforts:
- Roadrunner Food Bank
- All Together New Mexico Fund
- Navajo Nation Relief Fund
- All Faiths Children’s Advocacy Center
- Cuidando Los Ninos
- PB&J Family Services
- New Day Youth & Family Services
- Youth Development Inc.
- S.A.F.E House New Mexico
- New Mexico Voices for Children
- New Mexico Center for Law & Poverty
- Center for Southwest Culture
- Jobs for America’s Graduates NM
1 The AT&T Foundation contributed $23K in donations and the company contributed the remainder.
Investing in our network
Keeping people connected is our number one priority, that’s why we continue to invest in our network here in New Mexico. 2020 has been a busy year. We’ve built several new towers around the state and upgraded many more to increase coverage, speed and reliability for our customers and first responders. These investments are taking place in our cities, as well as in more rural areas including the Navajo Nation and along the New Mexico/Mexico border. This is on top of the $150 million we invested in our New Mexico network from 2017 through 2019.
The best news, is we’re not done yet. We anticipate turning on more sites by year’s end and having many more sites going online in 2021!
Investing in our First Responders
An important part of our continued infrastructure investment is in the FirstNet network—the only wireless network created exclusively for first responders which is being built by AT&T.
FirstNet is pleased to have recently welcomed new public safety customers including the cities of Belen and Gallup, just to name a few. They join emergency-response agencies across the state on the FirstNet network.
Our FirstNet team also continues to work with partner agencies when disaster hits. In October, we deployed a satellite communications truck to help firefighters battling the Luna wildfire in Mora County.
