Note: OK, we confess to creative license on the title alteration, but frankly we're very tired of seeing these self-laudatory corporate press releases being picked up by local press as fact and as evidence of corporate benevolence on the part of the telcos' recent legislative scams. AT&T, like Verizon, is making a fortune off such misinformation and deceit. With their merger with SBC, AT&T promised to cut 10,000 jobs right off the bat, then there's the multi-million dollar contracts with the NSA and FBI to violate your privacy, finally, as in Ohio, they've succeeded in deregulating the cable TV market and are now eliminating the residents' First Amendment Rights by de-funding public access and PEG TV. Also note, the Internet Innovation Alliance is funded by AT&T and likely is nothing more than a staff of three PR agents copying and pasting these press releases. But we digress - on to the self-celebratory corporate text . . . hooray for competition and DSL quality broadband!

Monday, September 24, 2007 - 3:29 PM EDT
AT&T to invest $500M in Ohio
Dayton Business Journal

AT&T Inc. will invest $500 million in Ohio during the next several years to upgrade its fiber network, expand broadband and grow Internet-based technologies, including video.

The investment, announced Monday, is the result of the passage and enactment of Ohio Senate Bill 117, which reformed the state's video franchising system and allows for video competition.

AT&T (NYSE: T) will be equipping its remaining 23 wire centers, in mainly rural areas, with broadband technology.

When the investment is complete, all of AT&T's 252 wire centers in the state will be DSL-ready and will have access to high speed Internet services.

The company also submitted to the State Department of Commerce its application to provide video services under the terms of the new video franchise law.

"We are anxious to bring advanced technology in video, voice and Internet services to Ohio consumers," said Connie Browning, president of AT&T Ohio.

The increased competition in the video market would result in increased investment across the industry, which could ultimately create 4,000 jobs in the state, according to the Internet Innovation Alliance.

AT&T has 1,500 employees in the Dayton area.

E-mail kmaurer@bizjournals.com. Call 528-4427.