AT&T [1]plans to invest more than $250 billion over the next five years to expand U.S. telecom infrastructure for the AI age. The company [2]says it will also hire thousands of technicians while [3]partnering with AST SpaceMobile to extend coverage to remote areas. Reuters reports:

> Rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and connected devices has prompted telecom operators to invest heavily in fiber and 5G networks as they also seek to fend off intensifying competition from cable broadband providers. AT&T, which has about 110,000 employees in the U.S., said the new hires will help build and maintain its infrastructure. The outlay includes capital expenditure and other spending, the company said.

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> The spending will focus on expanding its fiber and wireless networks, including accelerating deployment of fiber broadband, 5G home internet and satellite connectivity to extend coverage across urban, suburban and rural areas. [...] AT&T is also working with satellite partner AST SpaceMobile to expand connectivity to remote regions where traditional network infrastructure is difficult to deploy. The company said it would continue spending on the FirstNet network built for first responders and bolster investment in network security and artificial intelligence-driven threat detection.



[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/att-invest-250-billion-over-five-years-us-boost-infrastructure-2026-03-10/

[2] https://about.att.com/story/2026/att-announces-250-billion-commitment.html

[3] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/02/24/2136232/att-and-verizon-connect-first-cellphone-to-satellite-video-calls