As we look forward to the new year, now is a good time to reflect on all we have accomplished in 2020. No one could have predicted the tumultuous ups and downs the past year brought us, but the end of the year allows us time to reflect on good work that’s been done, progress that’s been made and how we can learn and grow from 2020.
This is the time of year we are typically gathering for festivities and quality time together. But in order to keep our families, friends, and neighbors safe from the coronavirus, convening in large groups may not be feasible this holiday season. However, this by no means that the holiday season is canceled. On the contrary, it has never been more important to reach out to one another to celebrate the hardships we have overcome and to look forward to a new year of opportunity, albeit perhaps not face to face.
AT&T understands that reliable connectivity has never been more important, and we will continue to work hard to ensure our customers can spread cheer and goodwill to their loved ones.
The holidays are a time to give thanks and to find ways to give back to those who need our support. A year riddled with hardships has provided numerous opportunities for AT&T to redirect our resources to support Idahoans affected both directly and indirectly by the coronavirus pandemic. Our mission to be there, when and where we are needed is our drive to continuously serve our communities, however we can.
While this year has admittedly been difficult, it has also proven the strength of Idaho and the resilience of our communities. As we move into the new year, our resolution to continue working together will help put an end to the coronavirus and bring us to a brighter future.
Best,
Tara Thue
AT&T Gives Back
Safety concerns of the spread of the coronavirus forced many Idaho institutions to reimagine their scheduled events in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. AT&T donated our time and treasure to help ensure those events were able to go on in a virtual setting. For example, the Boise Pride festival alone typically draws thousands of participants and spectators to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
This year, with the help of an AT&T contribution, the event was moved online, allowing Idahoans to come together without posing any coronavirus-related risks. Likewise, the AT&T All Girls Coding Camp was also reconceptualized to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while still providing valuable education to young girls. AT&T’s support of educational efforts continued with our sponsorship of the Boise Young Professionals’ government educations webinar series, the b|voting program. This program provided an inside look at Idaho’s government on all levels, which proved invaluable as our state approached election day.
Through these efforts, Idahoans were able to celebrate together, preserve their time honored-traditions, and provide much-needed education, all while still maintaining necessary safety standards. It’s through, innovation—and of course—connectivity, that these opportunities were able to be delivered during a year where we weren’t able to gather together in person.
Home Fire Season Is Here
The holiday season is usually a time of joy and merriment, but it also has a more troubling reputation as “home fire season.” This year, with even more time at home and potentially in the kitchen experimenting, there is an even greater risk of home fires. As we enter the heart of the holiday season, providing education and resources that can help prevent fires and provide aid to families, who have lost their homes, is the most effective support we can provide.
AT&T is proud to contribute $10,000 to the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho on their home fire campaign, which provides resources, education and support to prevent home fires and provide aid in the event one occurs.
McCall First Responders Receive Improved Coverage and Capacity
First responders in the McCall area are getting major upgrades to their wireless communications thanks to a new purpose-built FirstNet site near Little Payette Lake. The new infrastructure was part of a continued investment effort by AT&T to enhance public safety and FirstNet network expansion throughout Idaho. The increase in coverage and capacity for first responders will help streamline urgent communication where they need it most. The new site at Little Payette Lake expanded coverage in the lake area and extended through the McCall Golf Club, areas which had large gaps in coverage.
FirstNet sites are built with Band 14 spectrum, which is a high-quality spectrum reserved for FirstNet customers. It provides public safety with a dedicated lane of connectivity when needed, as well as additional capacity for AT&T commercial users as it’s available.
AT&T Continues to Invest in Idaho
AT&T’s continuous investment in Idaho has created better coverage, more job opportunities, and provided a boost to the economy. Between 2017-2019 alone, AT&T invested more than $80 million in capital expenditures in Idaho.
