Friday, March 13, 2009

AT&T Ups the Ante $11 Billion for Wireline and Wireless Broadband

We have talked a lot recently about the recent stimulus package and it's impact on wireless broadband investments in the U.S. There's no word on whether AT&T's recently announced plans were motivated (or even funded) by the stimulus, but whatever the source, the results are obvious: 3,000 jobs alone will be created in AT&T's next initiative to ramp-up 3G networks across America.

According to Network World, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson says that despite the current recession, AT&T needs to invest heavily in wireless capacity to keep up with consumer demand for bandwidth. Their plans include nearly doubling their 3G presence in the U.S., which entails nearly 2100 new GSM-based cell sites.

So, with AT&T upping the ante, what will the other major providers do with their broadband stimulus funds? What we expect (and hope) to see is the race begin to lead the U.S. in wireless broadband connectivity among Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T. It appears AT&T has jumped out to a lead, at least in what they've promised. But if there is one thing Capitalism assures, it's that where one company ventures, more will follow. Competition drove us to where we are in technology today, and it is driving us to the future as we speak.

See the full article in Yahoo Finance: AT&T to Add 3000 Jobs...

Labels: Broadband, Economy, Fixed Wireless Broadband, Rural Broadband Access, Stimulus