The contract with Vanderburgh County, Indiana calls for AT&T to put $29.7 billion towards building fiber networks that would serve broadband to 20,000 homes and businesses. AT&T would also receive an additional $9.9 million from the county's American Rescue Plan money, which are federal funds to help with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Bloomberg, fiber connections are among the most desired, but the wiring is expensive. To serve an area, a branch of fiber has to run off a primary connection to a network hub. The middle mile costs about $1,000 per home and connecting to the home is an additional $1,000. AT&T's criteria for extending fiber to a market are to address the underserved, make a profit and be the first provider of fiber to the home in the area, according to Bloomberg.
In July, AT&T and the neighboring city of Boonville, Missouri signed a $4.4 million contract to bring fiber to 4,000 locations in the city. Boonville is providing $990,000 to the project.