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AT&T planning fixed wireless in Franklin County

There may be an option on the horizon for rural Franklin and Colbert County residents looking for affordable broadband wireless internet service.

AT&T has tentative plans to introduce fixed wireless to rural Franklin and Colbert County during the first quarter of 2018.

AT&T officials have tentatively planned an announcement regarding Franklin County fixed wireless on December 19th.

When contacted by the Franklin Free Press in July, an AT&T spokesman did not reveal specific details of the range, cost and location of two base stations that are to be installed in Franklin County, but the spokesman said additional details would be released this fall.

AT&T's plans were revealed this summer by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow (D-Red Bay), who heard about a similar announcement in Greene County. Morrow contacted AT&T officials to see what plans had been made for his legislative district.

Morrow is part of the Franklin County Broadband Task Force, which has been working to bring affordable broadband for several years.

AT&T fixed wireless internet works through an antenna installed on the user's home and an indoor Wi-FI Gateway router. That antenna communicates with the nearest cell tower to ensure the strongest, most reliable signal, according to https://www.att.com/internet/fixed-wireless.html.

Plans call for the company to install two such towers “west of Russellville,” with two additional locations “east of Russellville” targeted for 2018.

The company promises download speeds of at least 10Mbps, at least 1Mbps for uploading and 160GB of internet usage per month.

Interested users can log onto AT&T's web site to find out if they qualify in their area for AT&T Fixed Wireless Internet. Once the company brings fixed wireless to Franklin County, it would be available to locations that can receive an AT&T cell signal.

Cost is projected at $60/month ($50/month if bundled with another AT&T service).

Russellville resident Jamie Kiel, a member of the task force and a candidate for House District 18 in 2018, said if AT&T delivers on its plans, it would be an important first step toward the goal of countywide coverage.

It's not the best long-term solution to our broadband issue, but it does provide a bridge for our residents until we are able to get fiber to every home,” Kiel said.

Fiber is the ultimate goal for Alabama. Speeds of 100Mbps to 1GB are possible with fiber internet. The discussion about a possible partnership with Tombigbee Electric and freedomFIBER is an exciting move in the right direction,” he added.

County officials are working with Tombigbee Electric Cooperative to discuss a possible plan that could bring fiber internet to rural Franklin County and Tishomingo County, Miss.

We were able to get water and electricity to every home in rural Alabama, and broadband internet should be treated the same way,” Kiel said. “Healthcare, education, business and quality of life are all impacted by the lack of broadband. I will make every effort to continue to bring solutions to this issue,” he added.

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