AT&T took $283 million but didn't deploy required broadband, Mississippi says [telecom]

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Mississippi asks FCC to investigate AT&T's "pattern of submitting false data."

By Jon Brodkin

AT&T falsely told the US government that it met its obligation to deploy broadband at more than 133,000 locations in Mississippi, state officials say.

Since 2015, AT&T has received over $283 million from the Federal Communications Commission's Connect America Fund to expand its network in Mississippi. But the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) said it has evidence that AT&T's fixed-wireless broadband is not available to all the homes and businesses where AT&T claims it offers service. The PSC asked the FCC to conduct "a complete compliance audit" of AT&T's claim that it has met its obligation.