Expanding and investing in broadband
Powering Connection in Louisiana Through Infrastructure Investment
Connecting Louisiana’s Future: How Fiber Is Creating New Opportunities in Monroe, Bernice and Beyond
Expanding and investing in broadband
Connecting Louisiana’s Future: How Fiber Is Creating New Opportunities in Monroe, Bernice and Beyond
October 26, 2026
October 26, 2026
Key insights
01
We traveled to Monroe and Bernice to hear directly from residents and local leaders about how fiber is making a difference.
02
Programs like Louisiana's Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) initiative, combined with private investment, are helping make fiber expansion possible in communities where the need is significant.
03
From scheduling, telehealth appointments, and day-to-day operations, local businesses and rural communities across Louisiana are seeing the benefits of fiber.
Louisiana communities have always been defined by their resilience, ambition, and the people who call them home. Today, from larger cities to small rural towns, reliable, high-speed internet is helping those communities build an even brighter future.
At AT&T, we’re investing in that future by expanding access to fiber connectivity across Louisiana. And while the technology is important, the real story is about the people and opportunities behind those connections.
We recently traveled to Monroe and Bernice to hear directly from local leaders, business owners, and residents about how fiber is making a difference in their communities.
A Shared Vision for Monroe
In Monroe, city leaders have made expanding broadband access a priority, recognizing that connectivity plays an important role in economic development, education, and quality of life.
Through a collaboration between AT&T and the City of Monroe, we’re working to bring AT&T Fiber® to every home and small business across the city.
What’s especially meaningful about this effort is where it began.
Mayor Friday Ellis challenged us to prioritize neighborhoods that had historically lacked investment and access to reliable connectivity. We embraced that vision, recognizing that the benefits of fiber should reach families and businesses throughout the community.
From students completing homework at the kitchen table to entrepreneurs building their businesses, fiber is helping create a stronger foundation for Monroe’s future.
Local businesses are already seeing the benefits. At Geaux Physical Therapy, reliable connectivity supports patient scheduling, medical records, and day-to-day operations. At Daily Harvest, internet service supports everything from customer transactions to communications.
These are everyday examples of how network investment translates into real opportunities for local businesses and the people they serve.
Big Opportunities in Small Communities
Just down the road in Bernice, the impact of fiber is equally significant.
In rural communities, access to reliable broadband can help level the playing field, giving residents and businesses access to many of the same digital tools available in larger cities.
For healthcare providers, that means supporting the technology used throughout a patient’s care, from medical imaging to electronic records. For students, it means dependable access to online learning resources. And for local businesses, it means having the connectivity needed to compete and grow.
As community leaders in Bernice shared with us, fiber isn’t simply improving internet service. It’s helping position the town for future growth and economic opportunities.
That’s why our work extends beyond Louisiana’s larger population centers. Communities like Bernice deserve the opportunity to participate fully in today’s digital economy.
Collaboration That Delivers Results
Progress like this doesn’t happen in isolation.
Across Louisiana, we’re working alongside local governments, community leaders and the state to expand broadband infrastructure and reach more residents.
Programs like Louisiana’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) initiative, combined with private investment, are helping make fiber expansion possible in communities where the need is significant.
These efforts demonstrate what can happen when public policy encourages investment and the public and private sectors come together around shared priorities.
And the benefits extend well beyond faster internet speeds. Strong connectivity helps communities attract businesses, support healthcare, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen their local economies.
Building What's Next for Louisiana
One of the things that struck me most during our visits to Monroe and Bernice was the optimism of the people we met.
They aren’t simply talking about better internet. They’re talking about new businesses, stronger neighborhoods, better healthcare, and more opportunities for the next generation.
That’s what makes this work so rewarding.
AT&T has a long history of connecting Louisiana, and we’re building on that legacy with investments that will serve communities for years to come.
There’s still more work to do, but the progress we’re seeing in Monroe, Bernice, and communities across our state shows what’s possible when we work together.
I invite you to watch our video and hear these stories firsthand. Because the future of Louisiana isn’t just about building networks. It’s about connecting people to more opportunity.
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