Investing in our Communities
In South Dakota, we invested nearly $140 million in our network infrastructure from 2019-2023 to connect more people to greater possibility.
Cities and communities throughout South Dakota are seeing the impacts of this investment, including:
- Nearly $30 million in Sioux Falls
- Nearly $15 million in Rapid City
We understand how a connection can make the difference. That’s why our mission is to bring connectivity to everyone, no matter where they live or where they come from. We’re working to not only boost network reliability and capacity but also expand broadband nationwide to help bridge the digital divide.
Committed to expanding connectivity, our investment focuses on all facets of the network —including fiber, 5G and FirstNet®, Built with AT&T.
- Unlocking the Power of 5G: From rural communities to urban areas, our overall wireless voice and data network covers more than 99% of all Americans, including South Dakota. Our 5G network today reaches more than 295 million people in more than 24,500 cities and towns across the U.S. with our mid-band spectrum available nationwide, covering more than 210 million people.
- We’re working with businesses from manufacturing to healthcare to create new innovations and increase efficiencies with AT&T 5G.
- We’re ramping up performance in high traffic areas, like airports, stadiums and venues.
- For less densely populated areas like Eagle Butte, Tyndall, Webster, and Tribal lands, we’re expanding our 5G network so people there can have access to reliable connectivity.
- Giving First Responders the Reliable Connectivity they Need: As America’s public safety communication partner, we are expanding and enhancing FirstNet to give the public safety community better access to their network. Setting the stage for first responder innovation over the next 10 years, the FirstNet Authority announced a series of strategic investments totaling more than $8 billion into FirstNet. The latest network investment of $6.3 billion will enable AT&T to deliver a standalone FirstNet 5G core, provide always-on priority and preemption across all AT&T 5G commercial spectrum bands and build 1,000 new FirstNet sites across the country over the next two years.
- In South Dakota, we’re connecting public safety agencies and organizations in more than 110 cities across the state, including Brookings, Huron, Madison, Mitchell, Pierre, Sturgis, Watertown, and Yankton.
- We’ve rolled out Band 14 on nearly 250 sites across South Dakota to provide public safety with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it.
And we’re not just investing in our network, we’re also investing in our communities. AT&T recently announced it’s committing an additional $3 billion by 2030 to help close the digital divide, bringing the company’s total commitment to $5 billion since 2021.
- To help youth with limited internet access across South Dakota’s nine Tribal nations, AT&T contributed $27,000 to the Dakota State University Foundation to expand its CybHER program to enhance digital literacy trainings. Read more.
Good news is always great to share. Here are a few highlights from the last year in South Dakota:
- December 1, 2023 | Watertown police dogs get new tactical vests, thanks to $2,000 AT&T contribution. Learn more.
- September 29, 2023 | CybHER to continue outreach to underserved populations, thanks to $27,000 AT&T contribution. Learn more.
- June 8, 2023 | Yankton Sioux Tribal police department gets connected with new FirstNet cell site. Learn more.
- May 17, 2023 | New FirstNet cell sites in the Black Hills support first responders. Learn more.
To keep up with all the latest updates from AT&T South Dakota, follow us on Twitter @ATTPublicPolicy and AT&T Connects South Dakota, and on LinkedIn.
*FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
*About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.
