BETHEL, Vt. -
The state moved one step closer Wednesday to its goal of connecting every corner of Vermont with high speed internet by the end of 2013. This time it was Bethel's turn.
Local business leaders, state officials, and a top executive from AT&T New England broke ground on a new telecommunications tower in Bethel. It will provide 4G voice and mobile data to a 17-mile corridor in the town. AT&T is an anchor tenant on the tower with a 10-year lease for antenna space.
Patricia Jacobs, the president of AT&T New England, says the technology will benefit both individuals and companies.
"So much in terms of family connections, but also business development. You saw the gentleman from GW Plastics talking about how important to him to communicate with his customers, whether they are here in Bethel or whether they are over in Hong Kong. That matters and that is going to do a lot in terms of innovation and job creation and economic growth," Jacobs said.
AT&T has invested $50 million in Vermont over the past two years.
Work on the towel in Bethel will begin immediately. It is expected to be up and running by the end of this year.
