AT&T Invests $1.7B In Michigan Over The Past Three Years

By Edward Cardenas

SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) - AT&T announced that the company has invested more than $1.7 billion in Michigan during the past three years.

The investment included new cell sites and new high-speed Internet network connections.

"With a growing range of connected home appliances, cars and wearable devices, we depend more on network connectivity than ever before," said Jim Murray, president, AT&T Michigan, in a release. "AT&T's continued investment in Michigan brings a host of new, innovative opportunities for residents and businesses to connect with each other and their customers."

The improvements are part of the company's Project Velocity IP (VIP) to provide better and faster service to business and residential customers, AT&T stated.

Across the state, AT&T established 34 new cell sites and made 49 capacity additions. There were also 38 new mobile Internet network connections and 392 new wireless high-speed Internet network connections.

These improvements included new site builds in communities including Grosse Pointe Woods, Lansing and Ypsilanti. AT&T also added or expanded 4G LTE in communities including Battle Creek and Birch Run along with capacity upgrades in cities such as Detroit, Ann Arbor and Troy.

"AT&T's investment over the past three years is another example of the economic comeback we're experiencing in Michigan," said Steve Arwood, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in a release. "With unemployment the lowest since 2002, it's due in part to companies like this who are committed to our state and investing in opportunities for residents and businesses."