I shared earlier this year about our work to build networks for the next century, not the last one. As we move forward through this next phase of technological advancement, keeping our customers connected is our number one priority. While most of our customers have moved to fiber and wireless services, we’re working with the remaining customers still using copper-based services to upgrade them to newer services where we can.
It’s with that in mind we developed AT&T Phone-Advanced (AP-A).
AP-A is a digital phone service that uses our reliable wireless network and any broadband connection as a backup. Today, AP-A is available in over 60 markets across 16 states, and will continue to expand to other markets and states across the country.
What does this mean for our customers? With this service, we’re modernizing our networks and making sure we don’t leave anyone behind in the process. We know the importance of staying connected, especially for our most vulnerable customers. This transition will take time and we’re working with our customers to make the shift to newer services, like AP-A, as easy as possible.
Go deeper: With AP-A, customers can keep their same number and use the devices they already own – and is often the cheaper option compared to the average cost of landline service. AP-A has these important features:
- Has similar capabilities as traditional landline to make calls and access 9-1-1, with additional features like the ability to detect and block spam calls;
- Designed with a focus on customer safety and emergency response, even in the event of a power outage.
- Contains a 24-hour built in backup battery to stay connected during critical emergencies.
- Works with other TDM-based technologies such as home alarms, medical monitoring devices and even fax machines; and
- Includes unlimited domestic long distance.
But don’t just take our word for it: We caught up with Gene Vedock, a customer in Normandy, Tennessee, as he shared how AP-A is the better option for him compared to landline.
Another customer from Hendersonville, North Carolina, also told us how AP-A has helped keep him stay connected, even during a power outage.
Why now? A technology revolution is happening before our eyes. Generative AI is cropping up everywhere you look and 2023 showed us unprecedented growth in data traffic.1 And it’s not slowing down. To keep up with technology and demand, we must keep evolving our networks. Our customers have already recognized this. In fact, 95% of households we serve don’t use our copper-based landlines and have moved on to newer services that better meet their needs.
Why does it matter? We know wireless services and fiber are the technologies of tomorrow. But some regulations that still exist today slow down the transition away from the copper networks of the past. To keep innovating in a way that allows us to meet the growing customer demand, we must invest in newer, more reliable wireless and fiber-based networks.
- Fiber and wireless-based networks are faster and require less maintenance than copper-based networks.
- Fiber and wireless-based networks also give more control to customers screening unwanted calls and can help improve access to public safety.
- Fiber networks are more sustainable and use less energy. We’ve saved 1.2 billion kilowatt hours of power thanks to our transformation efforts, which is enough electricity to power all the homes in Denver, Colorado.
How we’re doing it: We know how important it is for some customers to keep what they know and love and stay connected to voice service. But we understand change can be hard. While there’s more work to be done, keeping our customers connected remains our first priority. And, of course, we’ll engage appropriately with the FCC and other regulators as we move through this process.
The bottom line. To build a network that keeps pace with what our customers are demanding and lasts through this century and for the next, we’re modernizing our network today and innovating with new products like AP-A.
1 CTIA – U.S. Wireless Data Use Skyrockets, Passing 100T Megabyte Milestone, CTIA Annual Survey Finds
