Today, Mayor Emanuel visited the AT&T Flagship store to herald a $192 million investment by AT&T in Chicago’s wired and wireless networks in the first of half of this year. 

“This investment announcement from AT&T is testament to the company’s confidence in Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As we continue to grow jobs and increase economic opportunity throughout the city, these investments will improve the quality of life and business outlook for Chicagoans throughout the city.”

“In the first half of the year, AT&T invested more than $1 million every day in Chicago broadband networks.   We’re working to build a 4G network that’s smarter and better to provide our customers with a superior mobile Internet experience,” said Paul La Schiazza, President, AT&T Illinois.  “The ongoing investment we’re making in Chicago is designed to increase 4G coverage, reliability and speed.  We also continue to invest in technologies like Wi-Fi and DAS to help provide customers with the best connections when they want it, whatever they’re doing.”

The investments made by AT&T over the past three years continue to bolster Chicago’s connectivity and accessibility. AT&T’s investments and improvements will bring greater availability and speed in public spaces such as McCormick Place and Union Station.

Mayor Emanuel’s goal has been to make Chicago one of the most wired urban centers in the world. By building and expanding upon existing network infrastructure, communities and businesses are provided an economic boost for Chicago to continue to lead globally.

Mayor Emanuel’s visit comes on the heels of the announcement of the Chicago Broadband Challenge, a comprehensive effort to ensure that Chicago has the fastest broadband in the United States, leveraging the private sector’s resources and ideas.

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