Mobile and Fiber Broadband Expansion Will Help Give AT&T Customers and FirstNet Subscribers Better Access to Internet
What’s the news? AT&T* customers and FirstNet® subscribers in Louisiana got a big boost in wireless connectivity and fiber access over the past 12 months. In 2021, AT&T completed more than 350 wireless network enhancements in Louisiana, including adding more than 200 new macro and small cell sites. AT&T has also made fiber available in more than 40,000 new locations in Louisiana in 2021, and today, more than 375,000 customer locations in the state have access to AT&T Fiber. These network improvements will enhance the state’s broadband coverage and help give residents, businesses and first responders faster, more reliable service.
The new macro cell sites will improve coverage and capacity in the following 30 of the state’s 64 parishes: Acadia, Ascension, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Calcasieu, Caldwell, East Baton Rouge, Evangeline, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Lincoln, Livingston, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Plaquemines, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St Bernard, St James, St Mary, St Tammany, St John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, Union, Vermillion, Vernon and Webster.
In addition, over 150 small cell sites were launched, improving the network for customers in 16 parishes: Ascension, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Ouachita, Rapides, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and West Baton Rouge.
Beyond the new locations, over 350 sites were upgraded to provide additional capacity, faster speeds or greater capability. Our investment will help customers and first responders get the most out of their mobile devices.
“While wireless connectivity is important for everyone, it is critical in rural areas, especially as people need to keep themselves and their families connected,” said Stewart Cathey Jr., state senator, District 33. “Wireless broadband can be a game-changer in so many ways, including education, agriculture, and public safety. I am pleased to see that the state is continuing to benefit from our work in the Legislature to ensure that Louisiana remains a place that attracts private investment in technology.”
Why is this important? We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected. That’s why we’re also boosting network reliability and capacity as we expand our network. This helps Louisiana residents get the best possible experience over the AT&T network wherever they live, work and play.
Expanding Access to Fiber: To meet the demands for reliable, high-speed connections in our increasingly virtual world, we are investing in solutions like fiber around the country. In parts of more than 70 metro areas, including parts of Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette, AT&T Fiber® offers speeds of up to 5-Gigs with equal upload and download, which provides more bandwidth for consumers and businesses to enhance their internet experience for applications like video conferencing, virtual learning, telehealth and gaming1. Last year we built fiber to 2.6 million new customer locations – the equivalent of nearly 300 connections per hour of every day, and we plan to continue investing even more in the coming years. We’re proud to be part of one of the largest communications infrastructure projects in our country’s history.
Unlocking the Power of 5G: AT&T is America’s Most Reliable 5G Network2. AT&T currently offers 3 flavors of 5G**, which helps enable the network to reach its full potential. Here’s how they work:
- AT&T 5G using low-band spectrum offers fast speeds and reaches more than 255 million people in more than 16,000 cities and towns in the U.S.
- AT&T 5G+, using recently introduced mid-band (C-Band) spectrum in limited parts of 8 metros, sits between our other 2 bands and provides a great combination of ultra-fast speeds and wide geographic coverage.
- AT&T 5G+ using high-band (millimeter wave) spectrum delivers super-fast speeds and unprecedented performances in high traffic areas including parts of more than 45 cities and over 30 stadiums and venues, including Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Committed to our Networks: From 2018 to 2020, we expanded coverage and improved connectivity in more communities by investing nearly $1.1 billion in our wireless and wireline networks in Louisiana. This investment boosts reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and their businesses.
“We have been investing in Louisiana for more than 140 years. While the technologies have changed tremendously, our determination to continue connecting customers and communities through advanced communications remains strong,” said Sonia Perez, president, AT&T Southeastern States. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve a state where public policy leaders have created an environment that encourages investment in new and emerging technology.”
What is FirstNet? FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. It is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the federal government. The FirstNet network is providing public safety with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help fire, EMS, EMA, law enforcement and 9-11 personnel save lives and protect communities.
Where can I find more information? For more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out FirstNet.com.
1 Limited availability in select areas. Internet speed claims represent maximum wired network service capability speeds to the home and recommended setup. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed. Single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more information go to www.att.com/speed101
2 AT&T awarded Best 5G Network by GWS OneScore 2021. GWS conducts paid drive tests for AT&T and uses the data in its OneScore analysis. AT&T 5G requires compatible plan and device. 5G not available everywhere. Go to att.com/5Gforyou for details
**To experience AT&T 5G+, you’ll need to be in a 5G+ coverage area, have a 5G+ capable device, and be on one of our plans that include 5G and 5G+ access at no extra charge. See att.com/unlimited for more details.
FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). For more information, please visit us at att.com.
