AT&T : Network Reliability During COVID-19

The number of companies - from the biggest corporations to local small businesses - that had to pivot to a work-from-home model almost literally overnight presented a technical challenge that no one had ever seen before. But we've been working with these companies for years, and our objectives have always been to anticipate their needs and dynamically support their operations. So when those customer calls, texts, and emails started flooding in, we had the resources and experience to help them make that transition in incredibly agile ways. While other providers are talking about what they're going to do to support businesses, the fact of the matter is AT&T has already been supporting businesses and their changing needs long before the COVID-19 pandemic and we'll continue to do so.

For example, the right data plans were critical for our customers. (Hint: Shared, pooled rate plans are vital for thousands of businesses across every vertical industry. Just ask them.)

Rich Shaw, vice president of Voice and Collaboration in AT&T Business, goes into more detail today on just how dramatically businesses had to change when COVID hit and how we adapted right along with them.

We've continued delivering enterprise-grade solutions to solve real business CEO, CIO and CTO challenges - collaboration tools for employees, managing networks for excellent performance while providing privacy for users, devices, data, and applications.

And as the pandemic recedes - knock on wood - their needs will change yet again, as many companies move to a hybrid, highly-virtualized workplace model. We're ready for that, too.

Reliability for schools & virtual learners

For decades, AT&T has been connecting students with the tools and resources they need to succeed. In 2020, in-person learning came to a screeching halt as physical classrooms were abruptly closed. This left nearly 17 million children - those without a reliable internet connection or device - without access to learning. This 'homework gap ' isn't new. Millions of students have long faced the difficulty of not being able to complete their schoolwork at home. The pandemic amplified the issue, disproportionately impacting students of color, as well as students with disabilities and students in rural and under-resourced neighborhoods.

AT&T has made it a priority to provide students access to learning - and teachers access to digital education tools - regardless of where they may be physically. In 2020, we committed $30 million to address the homework gap, including:

• $10 million to nonprofit Connected Nation to provide Wi-Fi hotspots and free AT&T internet service to connect 35,000 of our nation's most vulnerable students. This includes students in foster care, English language learners, students with disabilities, or those experiencing homelessness.
• $10 million Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund to aid distance learning and keep families connected.
• $10 million to economic opportunity initiatives in Black and other underserved communities - including support for organizations such as Year Up, Per Scholas, YouthBuild and Jobs for America's Graduates.

AT&T also continues to offer discounted options to more than 135,000 public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to help keep students and teachers connected. Since March 2020, we have connected more than 490,000 students and teachers across 49 states and the District of Columbia with affordable and flexible mobile connectivity. We remain actively engaged with local leaders, K-12 school districts, and colleges and universities as we continue to connect students and teacher across the country.

Reliability for first responders & your health and safety