AT&T announced a commitment to invest more than $250 billion in advanced connectivity infrastructure across the United States, reinforcing the nation’s digital backbone while strengthening FirstNet® — the dedicated communications network built for public safety and first responders.

The long-term investment will expand high-speed fiber, 5G wireless, and satellite connectivity nationwide, while enhancing network resilience, security, and mission-critical communications capabilities that support emergency services, government agencies, and communities.

Building on a legacy that began with founder Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone call 150 years ago, AT&T is positioning its network infrastructure as a foundation for the next era of technological innovation, economic growth, and public safety communications.

“Today, we’re committing more than $250 billion to strengthen America’s connectivity and expand access to our leading fiber and wireless networks,” said John Stankey, Chairman and CEO of AT&T. “This investment will help ensure communities, businesses, and first responders have the reliable, high-performance connectivity they need for the future.”

Strengthening FirstNet for Mission-Critical Communications

A central pillar of AT&T’s investment strategy is the continued expansion and modernization of FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network built specifically for public safety agencies and first responders.

FirstNet provides priority, preemption, and resilient communications for emergency services during incidents and disasters. The new investment will support enhanced coverage, improved reliability, and modernized infrastructure to ensure emergency personnel can maintain secure and uninterrupted communications in critical situations.

Key initiatives include:

• Expanding nationwide coverage for first responders across urban, suburban, rural, and remote areas

• Enhancing network resilience and redundancy to ensure reliability during natural disasters and emergencies

• Supporting public safety agencies with advanced secure connectivity and mission-critical applications

• Strengthening collaboration with government partners to enhance national resilience and emergency response capabilities

Deploying Always-On Connectivity for a Digital Future

AT&T’s investment will also accelerate the deployment of next-generation connectivity technologies that support both consumer and enterprise innovation, including:

• Expansion of fiber broadband and 5G wireless services

• Integration of satellite connectivity through collaboration with AST SpaceMobile to extend coverage to remote areas

• Modernization of infrastructure to support AI, autonomous systems, and data-intensive digital services

• Enhanced network security through advanced threat detection and built-in security capabilities

These always-on networks form the backbone of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure, connected transportation, and digital public safety systems.

Investing in Workforce and Communities

AT&T also emphasized its commitment to investing in the people who build and maintain the nation’s communications infrastructure. With approximately 110,000 U.S. employees, the company plans to continue recruiting and training skilled technicians and engineers to support network expansion.

Focus areas include:

• Hiring thousands of technicians in 2026 to support network deployment and maintenance

• Expanding training and upskilling programs to ensure workforce readiness for AI-enabled technologies

• Supporting communities through education, career pathways, and competitive employee benefits

Securing America’s Connected Economy

As connectivity becomes increasingly critical to economic and national security, AT&T is investing in technologies that enhance network protection and enable future innovation.

These initiatives include scaling AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities, enabling innovation across industries through open network ecosystems, and strengthening collaboration with public sector partners to support national resilience and emergency response infrastructure.

With the expanded investment, AT&T aims to deliver resilient connectivity through fiber, wireless, and satellite networks, ensuring that communities, businesses, and first responders remain connected for decades to come.

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