AT&T's $24M Amarillo Fiber Expansion Leaves Coverage Gaps Unresolved

Amarillo hosts a $24 million public-private fiber network partnership with AT&T that will serve over 22,000 locations with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps. This development sits alongside existing provider footprints that leave portions of the city without equivalent access.

High-Speed Options Expand Reach

AT&T Fiber serves as the leading broadband provider in Amarillo, covering approximately 67-68% of the city with symmetrical download and upload speeds reaching 5,000 Mbps. Vexus Fiber supplies an alternative gigabit service at 1,000/1,000 Mbps to about 60% of residents. These networks deliver the technical capacity for faster data transfers and more reliable connections in covered areas.

Speed Averages and Remaining Shortfalls

The median fixed broadband download speed in Amarillo stands at approximately 366 Mbps, with average household speeds at 214 Mbps download and 117 Mbps upload. These figures reflect performance across the city but also indicate that many households experience rates well below the maximums advertised by fiber providers. Partial coverage percentages mean some residents continue to rely on services that may not match the new fiber capabilities.

Targeted Programs Address Equity Concerns

Amarillo Connected, a low-cost broadband initiative by the City and Mimosa by Airspan, aims to provide affordable access to up to 10,000 students and low-income residents. The program directly responds to disparities in who can currently benefit from higher-capacity connections. Questions around cost, eligibility, and rollout pace remain relevant as the city works to close those gaps.

Residents can check availability through provider websites listed in local broadband resources. Monitoring updates from the City of Amarillo and participating providers offers the clearest path to understanding when and where additional connections become available.