Peter Schorsch
Telecom giant AT&T announced Monday nearly $2.7 billion in upgrades to Florida’s cell and landline networks since 2013, including adding data capacity at more than 1,400 cell sites last year.
“We’re committed to providing our customers fast, reliable, highly secure connectivity. We want them to be able to access the internet at any moment, from almost any device and anywhere,” AT&T Florida President Joe York said. “Our continued investment in Florida brings a host of new, innovative opportunities for residents and businesses.”
AT&T also added 29 new cell sites in the Sunshine State last year and made capacity improvements at the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Daytona International Speedway, and Miami’s Sun Life Stadium.
The improvements come as the company rolls out “GigaPower,” the trade name for its fiber-optic internet service boasting download speeds of up to 125 megabytes a second. The service is already available in 20 U.S. metros, including Jacksonville, Orlando, and South Florida. St. Augustine and the Space Coast are being eyed for possible upgrades as well.
The boost in capacity will also mesh with the company’s plans to offer no-contract streaming options for its DIRECTV service on smartphones, smart TVs, tablets and PCs this year. AT&T said the streaming options will be available for customers regardless of their internet provider, and the streaming plans will not require a satellite dish or set-top box.
AT&T was recently named Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Telecommunications Company” in the world for the second year in a row and was also recognized as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies for the third year running, coming in at No. 48.
The company earned top marks in each of the nine metrics Fortune uses to make the list, including innovation, financial soundness and quality of products and services.
