County Has Ribbon Cutting For Towers Bringing Broadband to Rural Schools

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Earlier this week, AT&T announced that high-speed internet service is now available for more rural areas in Chilton and Autauga (Alabama) counties, thanks to three new towers, reported The Clanton Advertiser. The combined tower coverage is estimated to bring service to 700 homes and businesses.

Area officials – Maplesville Mayor W.C. Hayes, Chilton County Commissioner Jimmie Hardee, and Alabama Senator Clyde Chambliss – commented on the positive impact broadband will have for school students.

  • “We appreciate everything that AT&T does,” Hayes said.
  • “This is going to help our rural area for the children that do attend Chilton County Schools to have access that don’t have access now,” Hardee commented.
  • “We have been working diligently to get broadband throughout, especially to the schools and then to the home,” Alabama Rep. Jimmy Martin said. “This is the future.” 

AT&T is investing in bringing better connectivity to rural locations and plans to stay the course in the coming years. According to AT&T representative Tyler Fondren, $1.1 billion was invested in it’s Alabama network over the last three years and they’ve already accepted $427 million per year from the Connect America Fund Phase 2. The FCC fund will help AT&T bring connectivity to more rural areas over the next three years. The goal, according to Fondren, is to reach 66,000 homes and small businesses in Alabama when the project is complete.

Regarding infrastructure, Fondren noted, “We put dedicated antennas on a special bandwidth, a special spectrum. It is not a part of the regular cell phone spectrum.” Small cells will be placed on the outside of buildings to provide service.

August 18, 2017                 

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