AT&T Mississippi 2015: Investing and Innovating

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1 AT&T Mississippi 2015: Investing and Innovating Connecting Mississippians for more than 130 years 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 1

2 Note from State President One of the things I most admire about AT&T is that our history of innovation is a story of people from all walks of life coming together to connect their communities. Today, AT&T has more than 3,000 employees across Mississippi working hard to strengthen our communications networks. From 2012 through 2014, we invested more than $950 million in the state s wireless and wireline networks. This investment helps build and expand the services our customers demand, while also creating jobs and fueling economic growth in Mississippi. In addition to our significant infrastructure investments, we are working with leading healthcare, research, education and non-profit organizations to solidify our commitment to the welfare of Mississippians. The support we provide these organizations is helping make Mississippi a model in telehealth and research infrastructure and ensuring our state s students are connected. We will continue to make the community a priority and work with these and other organizations as we invest in and upgrade our networks to increase connectivity across the state. We look forward to serving more and more Mississippi customers by expanding high-speed Internet services that enable the technology of the future and create jobs for our state AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 2

3 By the Numbers: Mississippi Employees & Retirees Network Reach More than 3,000 employees working in Mississippi 1 More than 4,300 retirees living in Mississippi 2 AT&T Giving More than $1.9 million contributed by AT&T, the AT&T Foundation and our employees through a variety of giving programs in Mississippi from ,000 hours of personal time given by AT&T employees and retirees to community outreach activities in 2014 valued at more than $285, students mentored by Mississippi employees through Aspire Mentoring Academy, a program that teaches students about life skills and diverse career paths, from ,588 network upgrades made from wireless upgrades made in 2014 including new cell sites and new wireless high-speed Internet connections to enhance reliability, coverage, speed and performance for residents and businesses 389 sites added to the LTE network in 2014, including 80 of Mississippi s 82 counties Local Impact 169 retail locations in Mississippi More than $152 million local and state taxes paid by AT&T in As of June 30, As of August 3, AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3

4 Bringing high-speed Internet to more of rural Mississippi High-speed Internet has quickly become a preferred way to access information and communicate. It is something that has woven itself into our everyday lives with the ability to enhance almost every task we perform. AT&T has long been committed to connecting Mississippi and has invested more than $950 million in our wireline and wireless networks in the Magnolia state over the last three years ( ). These investments are bringing the latest technology and innovations to our state. But, to reach more of rural Mississippi, a collaborative effort between policymakers and providers is needed to bring high-speed Internet service to more locations. This is why AT&T participated in the Federal Communications Commission s (FCC) Connect America Fund (CAF) part of the agency s modernized approach to providing all Americans with broadband access. In late 2011, the FCC updated its Universal Service Fund program and created the CAF to help providers deliver high-speed Internet to remote customers. In support of the FCC s efforts, AT&T participates in the Universal Service Fund and Connect America Fund programs, helping expand high-speed Internet service to homes and businesses where market forces and economics alone cannot support broadband expansion. Since 2012, AT&T s participation in these programs has helped serve more than 150,000 homes and businesses in rural areas of Mississippi. Today, AT&T remains committed to rural Mississippi and the FCC s goal of universal service as it embarks on phase II of CAF deployment. In August 2015, AT&T announced participation in phase II of the CAF program to enhance high-speed Internet deployment in rural America. Through CAF II, AT&T has committed to deliver high-speed Internet service to more than 133,000 homes and businesses in the Magnolia State. Nearly $50 million of CAF funds will be devoted annually for the next six years in Mississippi to meet this commitment. Through the Connect America Fund, AT&T is bringing the benefit of the Internet to more Mississippians AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4

5 Making public health a priority Using new technologies and increasingly stronger connections, AT&T is striving to expand the use of telehealth to bolster healthcare in the state of Mississippi. Through our partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, we are supporting the state as it becomes a model for telemedicine in the United States. Currently, UMMC has integrated with over 165 healthcare entities throughout Mississippi to bring its telehealth services to hospitals, clinics, corporations, schools and even patient homes. Thanks to the AT&T led strategic partnership, approximately 100 customized GlobalMed Medical Carts have been deployed, helping to provide quality, affordable health care throughout rural Mississippi. Over half of Mississippians live in rural areas, and our state has the lowest ratio of physicians to patients in the nation. Therefore, telemedicine is a vital tool in delivering quality, affordable health care to rural Mississippi, stated Dr. Kristi Henderson, Chief Telehealth and Innovation Officer for the UMMC. She is even driving this important message home in Washington D.C., where she has testified five times and continues to work closely with the FCC. Dr. Henderson, who recently received the President s Award from the American Telemedicine Association, believes that in Mississippi, telehealth is an outright necessity, especially given the state is home to some of the highest rates of diabetes and heart disease in the country. This coupled with the physician shortage in Mississippi makes access to quality healthcare a major challenge in the state. Through working with the UMMC and others, AT&T is on a mission to change that AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 5

6 Keeping schools and universities connected K-12 AT&T fiber is available to every school in our Mississippi footprint. Of all the schools in the state, 97% - or approximately 495,000 students - are served by our fiber network. 1 Of the 3% of schools not using AT&T fiber, 1% are wireless only and 2% are in an independent telephone provider s footprint. University Stadiums AT&T has also completed projects to enhance network capacity and data network speeds at 2 of the state s largest universities, Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi. Ole Miss has added technology devoted to preventing slowed speeds in large venues, allowing fans and students to stay connected on game days. MSU also upgraded their networks to allow for higher capacity and speeds to ensure a solid connection for fans and students in Davis Wade Stadium. 1 Mississippi Department of Education 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 6

7 Supporting Mississippi s leading researchers In 2010, AT&T was selected as the telecommunications enterprise for the Mississippi Research Consortium, a competitive research program that includes Mississippi s 4 research universities: Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi. The organization has received praise from the National Science Foundation and others and has been cited as a national model for creating a state science and technology infrastructure. AT&T s collaboration with the organization and its partners has resulted in a network design that significantly increases capacity for Mississippi s research universities from 1 Gig to 20 Gigs. This increased connectivity is key to the achievement of the MRC s primary goals, which include Developing a research infrastructure to support education and extend technology development in Mississippi; Fostering research funding opportunities and increasing interaction with federal agencies; Improving science education opportunities for students elementary through college; and, Enhancing economic opportunities for the State of Mississippi AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 7

8 Texting while driving It Can Wait Texting, ing, posting to social media or engaging in other dangerous distractions while driving is a habit that threatens the safety of communities, drivers and others throughout Mississippi. By partnering with local elected officials, AT&T continues working to raise awareness of this important issue and help educate drivers throughout the state. The It Can Wait movement was created to educate the public especially teens on the dangers of distracted driving. The goal is to save lives and make texting and driving as unacceptable as drinking and driving. Our message is simple yet vital: when it comes to texting and driving, it can wait. AT&T reminds you to keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone. When you re behind the wheel, nothing is more valuable than your life, or the lives of others. It Can Wait AT&T Mississippi s 3,000 employees encourage you to take the pledge. Since the campaign s launch in 2012, AT&T has partnered with schools across the state in cities such as Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo and Batesville to urge high school students to never text and drive again with our ICW events, curriculum, and car simulator. Our work with Mississippi officials led to numerous counties and cities proclaiming September 19 as No Text on Board Pledge Day, which we spearheaded to garner even more awareness. AT&T Supports the No Texting and Driving Law On March 13, 2015, Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 389, or the No Texting While Driving bill, into law. The new law was effective immediately and prohibits all drivers from writing, sending or reading text messages, s or social media messages while driving. The $25 fine for violators will increase to $100 after July 1, While Mississippi had previously banned texting for school bus drivers and drivers under 18 years of age, this life-saving law applies to drivers of any age. For more information on AT&T Mississippi, please visit Mississippi.ATT.com AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 8

9 Giving back and making a difference At AT&T, we use the power of our network to build a better tomorrow. Whether it s our people or our technology, our network supports our communities and creates unexpected opportunities. Our most recent sustainability update highlights the diverse impacts of our network across the company and in the communities where our employees and customers live. Here, in Mississippi, we achieved some great things: Our employees and retirees donated more than 12,000 hours of time to community outreach activities worth more than $285,000. We contributed approximately $1.9 million through corporate, employee and AT&T Foundation giving programs in our state from 2012 through AT&T Ocean Springs Call Center Day Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, city leaders recognized AT&T s Ocean Springs Call Center employees for their strength and community leadership in the wake of the storm. On August 19, 2015, Mayor Connie Moran officially proclaimed the day AT&T Call Center Day. Vice Mayor Bobby Cox is pictured presenting Emily Wiper, Director of the AT&T Ocean Springs Call Center, and her area management team with a City Resolution proclaiming August 19, 2015 as AT&T Call Center Day in Ocean Springs. To commemorate resiliency in the wake of tragedy and pay kindness and community support forward, the Ocean Springs Call Center hosts an event each month to support both national and local charities. We re encouraged by our progress and will continue our commitment to improving our world and empowering our customers to do the same AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 9

10 AT&T Community Leaders AT&T s corporate leaders are also leaders in their Mississippi communities. Mayo Flynt AT&T Mississippi President Randal Russell AT&T Mississippi Legislative and External Affairs Former Chairman of the Mississippi Economic Council, the Mississippi Partnership for Economic Development, the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, and Innovate Mississippi Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Mississippi Museum of Art Chairman of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership s Lake Development Task Force Member of the Jackson Rotary Club Formerly served on the boards of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the University of Mississippi Alumni Association, and the University of Mississippi Foundation Mike Walker AT&T Mississippi Legislative and External Affairs Mississippi Minority Business Alliance, Vice Chair Mississippi Chapter Telecom Pioneers of America, President 100 Black Men of Jackson, Membership Chair Mississippi Council on Economic Education Hinds County Economic Development District Jackson State University College of Business Dean s Board of Business Advisors Gunner Goad AT&T Mississippi Legislative and External Affairs Mississippi 4H Foundation Board and Executive Committee Stennis Institute of Government Advisory Board, Mississippi State University First Baptist Church, Deacon Troop 8 Boy Scout Leadership Committee Leadership Mississippi Alumni Former Member Andrew Jackson Council Board of Directors C.D. Smith AT&T Mississippi Legislative and External Affairs Appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to a 10-year term on the Mississippi Public Universities Board of Trustees in 2008 Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Sonny Montgomery Institute Member of the Board of Directors for the State Games of Mississippi, the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, and the Meridian Community College Foundation Current Board of Governors member for the Mississippi Economic Council Current member of the Meridian Rotary Club and retired member of the Mississippi Air National Guard CatchKids Board Member Boys Scouts Board Member Tupelo Parks and Recreation Soccer Coach Tupelo Major Thoroughfare Committee Board Member Tupelo Task Force Committee Board Member AEE Board Member Regional Rehab Board Member For more information on AT&T Mississippi, please visit engage.att.com/mississippi/ 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 10