AT&T plans broadband upgrade

AT&T has announced an upgrade to local mobile broadband service and is looking forward to a series a major investments that would provide mobile broadband to 97 percent of the U.S. population. WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW: The company announced it has completed a key initiative that will expand wireless coverage in Erie, as well as Lake City, Girard and Fairview. WHAT IT MEANS: Barbara Chaffee, president of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, said the upgrades will help Erie be more competitive. LOOKING AHEAD: The company announced plans in March to acquire T-Mobile USA. The most important element of that acquisition, not yet finalized, is adding additional broadband spectrum or capacity, said David Kerr, vice president of external affairs for the company. IF THE MERGER IS APPROVED: AT&T plans to invest $8 billion in infrastructure upgrades and bring back 3,000 jobs to the U.S. GROWING INDUSTRY: AT&T's mobile data traffic has grown 8,000 percent in the past four years, Kerr said.