AT&T to deliver 1 gigabit broadband network in Austin

AT&T on Tuesday said that it has begun deployment of a 100 percent fiber Internet broadband network in Austin . It will deliver speed up to 1 Gigabit per second.

AT&T plans to begin delivering AT&T U-verse with GigaPowerSM, the city's fastest Internet available to consumers, along with more advanced TV services and features, in December.

"With our all-fiber U-verse services, we are building the foundation for a new wave of innovation for Austin's consumers, businesses, and civic and educational institutions. It's about engaging the full community and empowering the city and its people with all that technology can offer us. This investment will help attract new business and new jobs to Austin," said Dave Nichols, President - AT&T Texas.

"AT&T's U-verse with GigaPowerSM service will initially reach tens of thousands of customer locations throughout Austin and the surrounding areas this year, with additional local expansion planned in 2014 to reach even more neighborhoods and businesses," the company said in a statemnet.

"Austin consumers and business owners are encouraged to vote today at www.att.com/austinfiber to help us identify high customer demand and to influence which neighborhoods AT&T U-verse with GigaPowerSM will expand to in the future," the statement added.

"We currently sit at the cutting edge of technology and this deployment will allow our businesses and residents to work, educate, create, invest, and build at faster speeds," said Mike Rollins, President of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.

He further added, "Jump-starting the actual construction of GigaPower will add another reason for people to want to do business and innovate in Austin and call Austin home."

AT&T also announced the creation of a new executive position to lead its U-verse with GigaPowerSM initiative and named Dahna Hull to the role - vice president and general manager, Austin, AT&T Services Inc.

Along with news of the fiber investment, AT&T announced it will work with leaders throughout Austin to discuss how a fiber platform can further the citywide technology ecosystem, driving further innovation to complement the city's progressive technology focus.