October 7, 2025 – AT&T Breaks Ground on Project to Expand Fiber to More Than 2,350 Customer Locations in St. Tammany Parish

AT&T Fiber to be expanded in St. Tammany Parish as part of $10.1 million public-private project to deliver high-speed internet and help close the digital divide

AT&T is breaking ground on a project to expand AT&T Fiber to nearly 2,400 residential and business locations in St. Tammany Parish as part of a $10.1 million public-private project. Additionally, AT&T is donating $25,000 to the Youth Services Bureau and collaborating with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Louisiana to distribute 70 refurbished laptops to local students.

This public-private collaboration is an example of AT&T’s work with local governments to expand internet access. St. Tammany Parish officials used federal funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act to help bring fiber internet to the area. St. Tammany Parish will invest $4.8 million, and AT&T will invest $5.3 million in the project to expand fiber connectivity. 

“Our future depends on how well we connect, literally and economically,” said State Senator Beth Mizell. “Expanding fiber in St. Tammany Parish means more local businesses can compete, more students can keep up, and more families can stay plugged into opportunity.”

July 10, 2025 – AT&T Begins Turning Up Service on Project to Deliver Fiber Internet Access Across City of Monroe

AT&T Fiber is being deployed throughout city as part of $27 million public-private project to deliver high-speed internet and help close the digital divide

Last year, AT&T was selected to expand AT&T Fiber across Monroe residential and business locations as part of a $27 million public-private project. Today, our teams began activating service for the first customers to benefit from this project, as we also celebrate breaking ground in new neighborhoods across the city.

“From education to telehealth to economic development, high-speed fiber opens doors for every part of our community,” said Monroe City Council Chairwoman Juanita Woods. “This partnership is about making sure no neighborhood in Monroe is left behind. We’re proud to see this progress happening now and excited about what it means for the future of our City.”

December 19, 2024 – AT&T Helps Close Digital Divide as Part of its Public-Private Project with State of Louisiana

AT&T has expanded fiber to nearly 800 locations in Arcadia and more than 200 locations in Richland Parish as part of a $22 million public-private project with the State of Louisiana to bring fiber to more than 10,000 customer locations in parts of thirteen parishes.

The projects in Arcadia and Richland Parish are in collaboration with the State’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) program. The GUMBO program utilizes federal funds from the American Rescue Plan and matching investments from private providers to facilitate the deployment of broadband service to unserved locations across Louisiana.

These public-private collaborations are examples of AT&T’s work with state and local governments looking to expand broadband access. Under the agreement signed in November 2022, the State contributed $11 million in public funds to the project and AT&T contributed the remaining $11 million. 

“This public-private collaboration is a powerful example of our community’s resilience and determination,” said State Representative Rashid Young. “It’s about more than just improving internet speed; it’s about unlocking potential, fostering growth, and bridging the gap between our present and future.”

November 18, 2024: AT&T awarded nearly $55 million in BEAD funding to deliver fiber internet access to more than 20,000 customer locations in Louisiana

The state of Louisiana plans to invest nearly $55 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding through the state’s GUMBO 2.0 program, and AT&T will invest more than $150 million to provide fiber to these locations and additional households and businesses in the project area. The project is contingent upon a final contract between AT&T and the state. The BEAD funded project is expected to be complete in 4-years.

“This groundbreaking investment through the BEAD program is a major step forward for Louisiana,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Expanding access to broadband is essential for economic growth, better educational opportunities, and improved healthcare access. Louisiana is proud to lead the way as the first state to make this announcement, and I look forward to seeing how this project will benefit our communities for years to come.”

This historic announcement marks the first BEAD awards in the nation and underscores the critical importance of public-private projects in closing the digital divide. Louisiana’s position as the first state to award these funds highlights the state’s leadership in addressing broadband challenges.

“I want to thank Governor Landry and the Louisiana Legislature for their leadership and forward-thinking policies that have created an environment where projects like these can succeed,” said AT&T Louisiana President David Aubrey. “This first-of-its-kind BEAD award is a testament to what we can achieve when the public and private sectors work together to address one of the most critical challenges of our time – bridging the digital divide. I’m proud that AT&T is leading the way with this historic project in Louisiana, and we look forward to bringing the benefits of fiber broadband to families and businesses across the country through collaborations like this.”

November 18, 2024: AT&T to Deliver Fiber Internet Access to more than 300 Additional Customer Locations in St. Tammany Parish

AT&T has been selected to expand AT&T Fiber to more than 300 residential and business locations in St. Tammany Parish as part of a $2.5 million public-private project. Today’s announcement is in addition to a $4.9 million public-private project announced this summer to expand service to nearly 900 St. Tammany Parish homes and small businesses.

“Ensuring that our citizens have access to internet leads to better healthcare, business, relationships with loved ones and greatly increases quality of life,” said Parish President Mike Cooper. “As we announce our second public-private project this year with AT&T, we are taking significant steps toward closing the digital divide in St. Tammany Parish. This project exemplifies how the power of collaboration between local government and the private sector can improve our communities and we’re proud to work alongside AT&T.”

St. Tammany Parish will invest $1.5 million, and AT&T will invest nearly $950,000 in the project to provide fiber to residents. Planning and engineering work for this project is underway and the network is expected to be complete in 2-years.

“We are proud to once again collaborate with St. Tammany Parish to expand our fiber network and help bridge the digital divide,” said Eric Jones, regional director, external affairs, AT&T Louisiana. “By working with local leaders like President Cooper, we are bringing ultra-fast, reliable connectivity to more homes and businesses across the parish. AT&T is committed to investing in St. Tammany Parish and helping build a brighter, more connected future for everyone.”

August 2024 – AT&T to deliver fiber internet access across City of Monroe

AT&T has been selected to expand AT&T Fiber across Monroe residential and business locations as part of a $27 million public-private project.

“This investment from AT&T will transform the way our city gets connected. This initiative is not just about faster internet; it’s about creating opportunities for all. By expanding our fiber network, we are bridging the digital divide, enhancing educational resources, boosting local businesses, and improving healthcare access for every citizen. High-speed internet is a necessity in today’s world, and we are dedicated to making it accessible to everyone, ensuring a brighter, more connected future for our community,” said Mayor Friday Ellis.

The City of Monroe will invest $2 million, and AT&T will invest $25 million in the project to provide city wide fiber access. The network is expected to be complete in 3 years.

“Nationwide, there’s a lot of talk about closing the digital divide and bringing connectivity to everyone. But one thing is clear, the city of Monroe is doing more than just talking about it; they are doing something about it,” said David Aubrey, President AT&T Louisiana. “Monroe is the first city in Louisiana to enter a public-private project to provide fiber city wide. Approaches like this, where the public sector and private sector come together, are critical to removing barriers to connectivity. Our team has the experience to do this well, and the city of Monroe is wise to make this happen.”

Read more:

• ‘Creating opportunities for all:’ City of Monroe partners with AT&T to close the digital divide (KNOE)
• Monroe officials partner with AT&T, becomes first city in the state to provide fiber access to citizens (My ArkLaMiss)

July 2024 – AT&T and State of Louisiana collaborate on plan to deliver fiber-powered broadband to portions of 13 Louisiana parishes

The state of Louisiana and AT&T are collaborating on a plan to bring a state-of-the-art fiber network to nearly 9,800 homes, businesses and farms in parts of thirteen Louisiana parishes. The $19 million project is contingent upon a final contract between the state of Louisiana and AT&T.

The plan calls for AT&T to build fiber networks in parts of the following parishes:

• Beauregard
• Bienville
• Calcasieu
• East Feliciana
• Morehouse
• Orleans
• Plaquemines
• Richland
• Tensas
• Union
• Washington
• Webster
• West Baton Rouge

Extensive design and engineering work will begin immediately following the execution of a final agreement between AT&T and the state.

“We are proud to work with Governor Edwards, the Legislature, the ConnectLA team, and local leaders in Parishes across the state to help close the digital divide,” said Sonia Perez, president, AT&T Southeast States. “AT&T’s fiber network is fast and reliable, and we look forward to helping build better futures for the businesses and people of Louisiana.”

“As investment in cutting-edge fiber networks grows, we not only close the digital gap but also attract vital private investments that transform our communities for the better,” said Keith Hinkley, Plaquemines Parish President. “Closing the digital divide is our commitment to a future where everyone, regardless of location, enjoys the benefits of a connected world.”

February 19, 2024 – AT&T connects more than 500 fiber locations in partnership with GUMBO program.

Part of a $22 million dollar project between AT&T and the state of Louisiana is complete in West Baton Rouge Parish. The project is designed to bring state-of-the-art fiber to thousands of homes and businesses in parts of 13 parishes using federal dollars.

Of the more than 500 new fiber locations announced, 31 customer locations were built in collaboration with the state’s GUMBO program. The program utilizes federal funds from the American Rescue Plan and matching investments to help with the deployment of broadband service to underserved locations across the state.

Under the agreement signed in November 2022, the state contributed $11 million in public funds for 13 projects, while AT&T covered the remaining $11 million.

Read more:

• AT&T announces completion of first GUMBO internet expansion project (WAFB9)