The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday morning that AT&T is now providing fixed wireless internet service to areas of Daviess County that have previously suffered from slower internet speeds. In Daviess County, the affected areas include parts of Owensboro, Philpot and Whitesville.
The improvement is part of a rollout plan AT&T started in 2017, offering fixed wireless internet across 18 states with the goal to provide high speed Internet access to more than 1.1 million locations by 2020.
“The challenge is in rural areas,” said Hood Harris, AT&T’s Kentucky president. “But we can now give consumers who live in the last-mile areas access to the internet.” Harris said the response AT&T has received from previous states where his company offered fixed wireless internet has been phenomenal.
Fixed wireless internet service gives consumers the ability to connect up to four devices at a time, stream HD videos, and download music at a speed of 10 songs per every 34 seconds. Internet speeds are at least 10 megabits per second, which will be beneficial to areas such as Philpot, Whitesville and even parts of Owensboro where Internet speeds are oftentimes much slower — sometimes, residents in these areas struggle to get internet access altogether.
The process of installing this high speed internet access involves towers that are connected to AT&T’s network using fiber optics. Fiber optics have previously only been available to 2 percent of Daviess County residents. With the installation of antennas to connect businesses and homes to the network, eligible customers will begin experiencing faster and more reliable Internet speeds.
Harris explained that AT&T’s partnership with the FCC means the federal government will determine which locations and homes will be offered Fixed Wireless Internet.
“This partnership with the FCC makes it a peaceful process for everyone involved,” said Harris. He explained that any resident with questions regarding their eligibility can go to AT&T’s website for answers.
AT&T also donated $15,000 to Owensboro’s Junior Achievement of West Kentucky as a means of giving back to a well-deserving community, and to enhance the skills and success of Owensboro’s Junior Achievement.
