Page 39 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

AT&T Plans for Fiber-Powered Internet Access in Amarillo, Texas

The city of Amarillo announced a $24M
project with AT&T to build its state-of-the-
art fiber network to more than 22,000 cus-
tomer locations throughout the city. The
project proposes providing access to AT&T
Fiber for homes, businesses and govern-
ment agencies in the city center. The proj-
ect is contingent upon funding approval
by the city of Amarillo and a final contract
between AT&T and the city. “The city of Am-
arillo broadband access plan is one of the
more significant technological infrastruc-
ture advancements in city history,” said
Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson. “Amarillo
is taking the lead in ensuring all its resi-
dents have access to the world wide web
and its countless uses – from education
to workforce development to health care how public-private partnerships can help Residents and businesses can learn more
and more. AT&T, with a longtime tradition close the digital divide,” said Fred Maldo- about AT&T Fiber at att.com/fiber and can
of excellence in communication, is the per- nado, Regional Vice President, AT&T Texas. sign up to be notified when service will be
fect company for this historic project that “We have a long history of connecting busi- available at their address at att.com/noti-
will benefit the entire Amarillo community nesses and residents in Amarillo, and we fyme. AT&T will also keep the community
and serve as a template for other cities and look forward to working with the city of Am- updated on the project. Affordable internet
communities to follow on how to connect arillo on making plans to bring high-speed service is available for low-income house-
their residents in the digital age.” AT&T has internet to those who need it most.” Exten- holds as part of AT&T’s commitment to
been building communications networks in sive planning and engineering work will help close the digital divide. Access from
Texas for more than 140 years and is cur- begin immediately upon execution of the AT&T offers low-cost broadband options,
rently the nation’s largest fiber internet pro- contract. AT&T Fiber is the fastest among including free internet for eligible house-
vider.1 In 2021, AT&T made fiber available major providers and offers symmetrical holds when combined with federal benefits
in more than 300,000 new locations in Tex- speeds of up to 5-Gigs on downloads and from the Affordable Connectivity Program
as. “We appreciate the leadership and fore- uploads.2 The faster speeds and increased (ACP).3 After you confirm your ACP eligibil-
sight of the city in planning to choose AT&T bandwidth mean customers can connect ity, call us at 866-986-0963 to discuss your
Fiber, which will provide a fast and reliable multiple devices, stream multiple entertain- options and order service. Be sure to have
internet solution for today and tomorrow. ment sources, quickly upload content to your National Verifier application ID handy
This is an important milestone for the city social media and experience ultra-low lag when you call.
of Amarillo and the state of Texas to show for pro-level gaming – all at the same time.

AT&T, Verizon Agree to Phased 5G C-Band Rollout

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said between C-Band 5G and aircraft equipment The phased approach requires operators of
AT&T and Verizon agreed to allow airlines by delaying the full rollout of their 5G regional aircraft with radio altimeters most
more time to mitigate fears of interference networks to July 2023. The operators had susceptible to interference to retrofit them
offered to keep limitations on network with radio frequency filters by the end of
deployments at certain airports in place 2022. In a statement, Verizon EVP and chief
until 5 July 2022, but agreed to extend administrative officer Craig Silliman said the
this by another year following further operator “will lift the voluntary limitations
negotiations. Acting FAA administrator Billy on our 5G network deployment around
Nolen said a path has been identified that airports in a staged approach over the
should “continue to enable aviation and coming months”. Silliman added that the
5G C-band wireless to safely co-exist”. The latest agreement “is the result of months of
two operators will turn on their equipment close collaboration with the FAA, FCC and
in “carefully considered phases” as airlines aviation industry, and sets the stage for
work to retrofit their planes, the FAA added. continued, robust 5G deployment”.

39 MAY-JUNE 2022