AT&T connects 54 multi-tenant buildings in Louisiana with fiber

AT&T (NYSE:T) says it has connected 54 multi-tenant buildings in Louisiana with fiber-optic cable as part of its Project VIP initiative (see “AT&T announces Project Velocity IP capex plans”). The connections expand the carrier’s potential pool of business customers by more than 2600, AT&T believes.

The service provider will use the new fiber-optic network connections to market security, network, and cloud-based services. These include virtual private network (VPN) and voice over IP (VoIP) services; the ability to add equipment to enhance in-building wireless coverage and speeds; and symmetrical 1-Gbps Internet access via Ethernet.

"By offering lightning-fast upload and download speeds, generally available to only large businesses, AT&T Fiber Ready buildings can take small and medium businesses to the next level," asserted Sonia Perez, president, AT&T Louisiana. "Fiber-based wired and wireless services bring the world to our business customers, but, just as important, they also help bring these customers to the world."

Local officials welcomed the new connections. "Businesses in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana are demanding more broadband services, whether wired or wireless, to drive efficiency, boost productivity, and communicate with and market to customers," said Kip Holden, mayor president of the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge. "This fiber expansion and those yet to come, enable the latest IP based services that will help our existing businesses and those we hope to grow and attract to Baton Rouge."

Added Michael Oliver, CEO of the Committee of 100 and board chairman of the Louisiana Tech Council of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, "Fiber and broadband infrastructure must form the core of the communications backbone to serve large and small businesses across all industry sectors and the growing tech sector in Louisiana."

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