Addressing the digital divide
How Puede Network and AT&T are Working to Help Connect North Texas
150 Laptops for 150 Years
April 14, 2026
Key insights
01
On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call and
sparked a communications revolution still unfolding today.
02
To mark the 150th anniversary of that moment, AT&T collaborated with Texas
Governor Greg Abbott and the Los Fresnos CISD Education Foundation to do
what we do best: connect people to the future.
03
Together, we distributed 150 refurbished laptop computers to 150 graduating
seniors, one for every year since Bell's first phone call.
What does a phone call made 150 years ago have to do with a graduating senior in Los Fresnos, Texas, today? More than you might think.
On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call and sparked a
communications revolution still unfolding today. To mark the 150th anniversary of that moment, AT&T collaborated with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Los Fresnos CISD Education Foundation to do what we do best: connect people to the future.
Together, we distributed 150 refurbished laptop computers to 150 graduating seniors,
one for every year since Bell’s first phone call.
A Celebration of Students and Innovation
The event was more than a giveaway. It was a recognition of hard work, potential, and the power of community investment.
Governor Greg Abbott spoke directly to the students about what their achievement represents:
“The reason why we’re here is because 150 seniors have demonstrated that they’re either ready to go to college or ready to go straight into a career. Over the past two years, we’ve invested $7 billion in career and technical education, knowing how important that is for our students, for their future. We are going to be handing out laptops to 150 seniors, seniors who have demonstrated the brand of excellence you are able to achieve here in the state of Texas.”
Where Dreams Meet Determination
For the Los Fresnos CISD Education Foundation, this moment was the embodiment of their mission.
“The Los Fresnos CISD Education Foundation is where dreams meet determination,” said Adan Garcia, Chair, Los Fresnos CISD Education Foundation. “Our vision is a district where every individual’s aspirations are met with unparalleled support, and today’s laptop distribution is a great example of how we can support local students. We appreciate Governor Abbott, AT&T and Compudopt for their support of Los Fresnos students and for the 150 years of innovation that brings us here today.”
The Next Call (And invention) Is Theirs to Make
AT&T’s story began with a single call. Today, it’s the story of more than 100 million customers connected every day through the nation’s best and largest fiber network and largest wireless network. And the company’s commitment to that future is as strong as ever — with more than $250 billion invested over five years to build the networks that will power the next era of innovation and economic growth.
We’re proud to do our part to help equip Texas’ future leaders and innovators with the tools they need to reach their full potential.
Bell made the first call and launched a wave of innovation. Now it’s their turn.
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