AT&T continues Springfield-area investments

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) invested more than $70 million in Springfield-area wireless and wired networks 2014-16, company officials announced yesterday.

The total included nearly 70 wireless network upgrades in the area during 2016, comprising new cell sites and the addition of capacity to existing sites, according to a news release.

AT&T invested nearly $1.8 million in Missouri from 2014 to 2016. AT&T spokeswoman Katie Nagus has previously said the company spent $70 million improving its Springfield-area networks 2013-15.

"AT&T's network investment in Missouri is exactly what we need to help grow a thriving, prosperous state economy," said Dan Mehan, president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the release. "Missouri's economic future depends on this essential infrastructure, which helps keep residents connected to vital resources and enables businesses to grow their operations and expand their workforce."

The telecommunications company last month announced it would expand its 1-gigabit broadband service to homes in the Springfield area after launching it for businesses last year.

AT&T reported first-quarter net income of $3.5 billion, a drop from $3.8 billion a year earlier, according to a separate release.

T shares were trading at $38.20 as of 8:49 a.m., compared with a 52-week range of $36.10 to $43.89.

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