CARRBORO, N.C., July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Town officials ratified an agreement with AT&T to bring ultra-fast Internet access to residents and businesses in Carrboro. AT&T will provide U-verse® with AT&T GigaPower℠ over a fiber network with speeds capable of up to 1 gigabit per second.
The agreement stemmed from a North Carolina Next Generation Network (NCNGN) initiative. The NCNGN is comprised of six cities, four leading universities, and local business leaders working to encourage development of high-speed broadband networks in the state.
The plan outlines potential fiber deployments to deliver ultra-fast broadband to parts of Carrboro. AT&T GigaPower will also deliver advanced TV services and Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than what is available in Carrboro today.
How fast is 1 Gigabit?
- Download 25 songs in one second
- Download your favorite TV show in less than 3 seconds
- Download an HD online movie in less than 36 seconds
“It is exciting that Carrboro has the opportunity to partner with AT&T GigaPower initiative. The state-of-the-art technology that this network delivers will help both residents and businesses,” said Mayor Lydia Lavelle. “In addition, I am pleased that this service will be extended to community centers and other public gathering spaces to provide access for our diverse community.”
This investment by AT&T is in addition to its ongoing investment to expand its fiber network to tens of thousands of North Carolina residents and businesses over the next two years. In addition, similar AT&T GigaPower plans, related to the NCNGN initiative, are approved in Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem. Specific locations, availability, and pricing will be announced at a later date.
“It is exciting to see all six NCNGN communities ratify the agreement to bring ultra-fast fiber to the Research Triangle and Piedmont regions,” said Venessa Harrison, President, AT&T North Carolina. “While significant construction and engineering work lies ahead, and is actually already underway, we look forward to the opportunities, innovations and economic growth which this advanced network will deliver for the region and for customers.”
Other AT&T initiatives in 2014 include:
- Enhance and expand its 4G LTE wireless network, the most reliable network in the nation.**** AT&T 4G LTE wireless service is available in 24 North Carolina markets.
- Expand our U-verse footprint to more areas of North Carolina. U-verse is currently available in Raleigh, Cary, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Asheville and surrounding areas.
AT&T invested more than $1.6 billion in its North Carolina wireless and wireline networks between 2011 and 2013. AT&T has served the state of North Carolina for 133 years and employs more than 6,800 people across the state.
AT&T GigaPower launched to thousands of households in Austin, Texas, and surrounding communities in December 2013 and in January announced it will expand the fiber network to double the households in the Austin area this year as a result of high demand that has exceeded expectations. AT&T has plans to expand to Dallas, Texas this summer. In April, AT&T announced it’s considering 100 U.S. cities and municipalities for the ultra-fast fiber network.
For more information, visit about.att.com/mediakit/gigapower.
