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Investment

Besides infrastructure upgrades, AT&T is looking to bolster its workforce with hundreds of specialists to support their objectives in California.

Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

AT&T has announced a landmark $19 billion investment commitment to modernize their telecommunications infrastructure in California by 2030.

The push from AT&T to in California aims to connect more than 4 million new households and businesses with fiber internet technology and enhance wireless coverage with over 1,200 new cell sites across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

The investment, to the tune of $19 billion according to AT&T, underscores how the telecommunications giant plans to transition from obsolete copper networks to fiber and wireless services, responding to the state’s growing demand for faster, more reliable, and affordable connectivity.

“Californians depend on and expect fast, reliable connectivity every day and AT&T is committed to delivering it,” said Susan Santana, state president of AT&T California.

She emphasized the importance of recent federal network modernization policies that have enabled the investment.”

Santana highlighted the benefits of this transition, stating it would “reach more customers, improve our communities, and support California’s economy for years to come.”

The shift away from copper-based phone services, currently used by only 3% of AT&T customers in California, will begin on or after June 1 of next year, the company also said in their May 20 release.

“No customer will be left without access to phone or 911 service,” the company assured, reflecting its commitment to seamless and safe transitions.

AT&T is looking to bolster its workforce

Besides infrastructure upgrades, AT&T is looking to bolster its workforce to support their objectives in the state.

The company said they plan to hire hundreds of technicians for fiber expansion and copper decommissioning while investing in training programs to maintain a skilled workforce.

The initiative also includes expanded community programs, with plans to open six new Connected Learning Centers in 2026 and host digital literacy workshops, especially for underserved populations such as tribal communities and older adults. To further combat the digital divide, AT&T also says they’re allocating an additional $1.2 million to nonprofits statewide.

Some AI tools assisted in the crafting of this report.

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