Comcast and Charter’s State Grants, AT&T Fiber in Arizona, New US Cellular Lobbyist

The cable companies lead in total awards from multiple states.

Comcast and Charter’s State Grants, AT&T Fiber in Arizona, New US Cellular Lobbyist
Photo of Rebecca Murphy Thompson from Twilio

August 30, 2022 – Comcast and Charter Communications are the two largest recipients of state broadband grants to date, according to an analysis Monday by Fierce Telecom.

Charter leads all providers with $170.8 million from nine states. Meanwhile, Comcast has received awards in eight states worth $121.6 million.

The numbers come after Comcast reported no broadband growth in its second quarter report late last month.

AT&T expanding fiber services in Mesa, Arizona

AT&T announced Tuesday that it will bring 5 gigabits per second download speeds to over 100,000 homes in Mesa, Arizona by 2023.

“Fiber is hands-down the best technology to deliver high-speed broadband, and this expansion is allowing AT&T to aggressively roll out service to the Mesa area,” AT&T CEO John Stankey said in a press release. “Our long-term goal is to provide fiber to as many customers as we can, and this is just one of many steps we’re taking to achieve that goal.”

Mesa Mayor John Giles added in the release that he sees the new service will drive “better access to education, jobs and healthcare for our great city.”

US Cellular has new VP of government affairs

US Cellular announced Monday that Rebecca Thompson will be the company’s new vice president of government affairs.

Thompson, who will now be the principal representative for US Cellular’s federal legislative and regulatory matters, has over 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs. She obtained her law degree from Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C.

“Her industry knowledge combined with her legal and regulatory expertise will support our efforts to provide connectivity to underserved Americans and help us make progress towards our long-term company goals,” Adriana Rios Welton, head of legal and government affairs, said in the release.