Connected

We live in a wired world, but for residents living in rural areas, getting internet access can feel like trying to find water in a desert.

But a private-public partnership between the Federal Communications Commission and AT&T is bringing fixed wireless internet service to southern Cullman County, with two cell tower sites now up and running in Bremen, the company announced Friday. AT&T plans to expand this service to nearly 66,000 locations across Alabama by 2020.

“This is a great day for Bremen,” said Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, who attended the announcement ceremony Friday at tower site on County Road 143. “It is an honor to serve the residents of Cullman County, and I applaud AT&T for their work to enhance high-speed connectivity for residents and small businesses in rural Alabama.”

The fixed wireless internet service delivers a home internet connection with download speeds of at least 10Mbps. The connection comes from a wireless tower to a fixed antenna on customers’ homes or businesses.

In addition to the County Road 143 tower, a second site on County Road 35 in Bremen and a third in nearby Arley near the edge of Bankhead National Forest on Winston County Road 41 are currently providing the internet access for eligible customers, said Dave Hargrove, AT&T Alabama regional director of state legislative and regulatory affairs.

“In today’s world, high-speed connectivity is important,” said Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope, who was also on hand Friday. “I am excited to see this newly available service bringing enhanced connectivity to Cullman County and our rural communities in Alabama.”

These initial activations are part of AT&T’s participation in the FCC’s Connect America Fund provide internet access in rural and underserved areas.

In late 2011, the FCC modernized the program to support networks capable of providing broadband and voice services and created the Connect America Fund to efficiently and effectively administer that support to expand broadband in rural areas where market forces alone can’t support expansion.

“I am thankful for the leadership of our elected officials who work to ensure a pro-consumer business environment and am delighted the rural residents of Cullman County are among the first in the nation to access this innovative technology,” said Cherrie Haney, director of Cullman County Economic Development.

For more information on fixed wireless internet from AT&T, visit att.com/internet/fixed-wireless.html.