With Nearly 700 Network Enhancements in 2021, AT&T Continues to Expand Coverage Across North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 10, 2022

What’s the news? AT&T* customers and FirstNet® subscribers in North Carolina got a big boost in wireless connectivity and fiber access over the past 12 months. In 2021, AT&T completed more than 700 wireless network enhancements in North Carolina, including adding more than 300 new macro and small cell sites. AT&T has also made fiber available in more than 60,000 new locations in North Carolina in 2021, and today, more than 1 million customer locations in the state have access to AT&T Fiber.

These network improvements will enhance the state’s broadband coverage and help give residents, businesses and first responders faster, more reliable service.

The new macro cell sites will improve coverage and capacity in the following 60 of the state’s 100 counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Avery, Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Cleveland, Columbus, Cumberland, Currituck, Duplin, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, New Hanover, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Swain, Union, Wake, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin and Yancey.

In addition, more than 200 small cell sites were launched, densifying the network for customers in 5 counties: Cumberland, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg and Onslow.

“This expansion means more North Carolinians can use high-speed internet to work, learn and stay healthy," said Governor Roy Cooper. "Wireless and wired service options that are reliable, affordable, fast and secure help people access opportunities, stay connected and get help in an emergency.”

Beyond the new locations, over 1,000 sites were upgraded to provide additional capacity, faster speeds or greater capability. Our investment will help customers and first responders get the most out of their mobile devices.

“We have been investing in North Carolina for more than 140 years,” said Trey Rabon, president of AT&T North Carolina “While the technologies have changed tremendously, our commitment to connecting customers and communities though advanced communications remains strong. We appreciate the opportunity to serve a state where public policy leaders have created an environment that encourages investment in new and emerging technology.”

Why is this important? We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected. That’s why we’re also boosting network reliability and capacity as we expand our network. This helps North Carolina residents get the best possible experience over the AT&T network wherever they live, work and play.

Committed to our Networks: From 2018 to 2020, we expanded coverage and improved connectivity in more communities by investing nearly $1.8 billion in our wireless and wireline networks in North Carolina. This investment boosts reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and their businesses.

Expanding Access to Fiber: To meet the demands for reliable, high-speed connections in our increasingly virtual world, we are investing in solutions like fiber around the country. In parts of more than 70 metro areas, including in parts of Asheville, Charlotte and Greensboro, AT&T Fiber® offers speeds of up to 5-Gigs with symmetrical upload and download, which provides more bandwidth for consumers and businesses to enhance their internet experience for applications like video conferencing, virtual learning, telehealth and gaming1 . Last year we built fiber to 2.6 million new customer locations – the equivalent of nearly 300 connections per hour of every day, and we plan to continue investing even more in the coming years. We’re proud to be part of one of the largest communications infrastructure projects in our country’s history.

Unlocking the Power of 5G: AT&T is America’s Most Reliable 5G Network2 . AT&T currently offers 3 flavors of 5G**, which helps enable the network to reach its full potential.

Here’s how they work:

• AT&T 5G using low-band spectrum offers fast speeds and reaches more than 255 million people in more than 16,000 cities and towns in the U.S.

• AT&T 5G+, using recently introduced mid-band (C-Band) spectrum in limited parts of 8 metros, sits between our other 2 bands and provides a great combination of ultra-fast speeds and wide geographic coverage.

• AT&T 5G+ using high-band (millimeter wave) spectrum delivers super-fast speeds and unprecedented performances in high traffic areas including parts of more than 45 cities and over 30 stadiums and venues, including Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

What is FirstNet? FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. It is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the federal government. The FirstNet network is providing public safety with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help fire, EMS, EMA, law enforcement and 9-11 personnel save lives and protect communities.

Where can I find more information? For more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out FirstNet.com.

For more information, please visit us at att.com. For more information, contact: Clifton Metcalf AT&T Public Affairs [email protected] 704.488.7686