BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) announced plans to invest approximately $400 million over the next several years in fiber network upgrades, further broadband deployment and Internet-based technologies to bring new services, including innovative television, to Alabama consumers, upon approval of agreements being considered by city and county governments.

'We commend the 213 city and county leaders in 34 individual Alabama communities for their vision in helping to ensure that Alabama is not left behind in efforts to give consumers more choices in the video services market,' said Fred McCallum, state president of AT&T Alabama. 'The local support shown most recently by the Birmingham City Council, including council President Carole Smitherman, and Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, and the Jefferson County commissioners, including commission President Bettye Fine Collins, will give consumers a new communications and entertainment experience. We look forward to delivering advanced television, voice and Internet services to Alabama.'

On July 8, the Birmingham City Council, with support from the mayor, approved an agreement with AT&T that will enable AT&T to provide these new services to local consumers. That same day, the Jefferson County commission approved a similar agreement.

They join 34 communities across the state in approving similar agreements with AT&T, including Hoover, Bessemer, Midfield, Helena, Bay Minette, Vestavia Hills, Clanton, Tuscaloosa County, Jasper, Madison and Albertville.

'We are continuing to work with other cities and counties around the state that are critical to our investment decisions and look forward to completing these negotiations in the near future,' said McCallum.

In part, the new technology upgrades being considered by AT&T will support Internet Protocol (IP)-based television, high speed Internet and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.