Texas DIR Picks AT&T as a Connectivity Solutions Provider

Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), which delivers technology solutions to Texas state and local government entities, has selected AT&T as a provider of connectivity and technology services.

This new contract will provide about 5,000 Texas public agencies and schools access to cost-effective and advanced solutions through a consolidated procurement vehicle.

The mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources is to serve the Texas government by leading the state's technology strategy, protecting state technology infrastructure, and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for all levels of government.

Why is this important? As vital technologies required to keep governments up and running are becoming more and more integrated, the Texas DIR leadership had a vision to develop a comprehensive procurement process to help simplify the way Texas public agencies can obtain the connectivity solutions they need to operate effectively and efficiently. Previously, agencies procured contracts for different technologies through multiple vehicles.

In support of the Texas DIR vision, with this new innovative approach, AT&T will simplify the process for customers by providing them access to a broad selection of solutions across all layers of AT&T’s network through a single-source procurement process. This allows customers to manage all their AT&T connectivity solutions in one place.

Working to keep Texans highly connected, from 2018-2020, AT&T invested over $7.7 billion in Texas to build out fiber and wireless across Texas. These investments are essential for keeping government services up and running and essential to connecting people with family, friends and colleagues.

Connectivity has the power to address learning loss, remove barriers, and improve economic and education equity. For over 30 years, AT&T has been a trusted connectivity provider for the State of Texas. In recent years, AT&T has worked with Texas agencies in the migration of over 5,000 locations to new network technologies.

With this new contract, several new services will be available to customers, including high-speed fiber and wireless broadband, cloud-based voice and collaboration solutions, and SD-WAN. With the transformation to a more digital government, SD-WAN provides a new virtualized approach to networking. It also allows IT teams to respond and reconfigure networks more quickly while supporting enhanced capabilities and security.

Additionally, AT&T will continue to provide reliable connectivity solutions already available to Texas agencies, including Managed Services, IoT connectivity, and public safety communications for the public safety community with FirstNet® and NextGen 9-1-1.

Who can use this? Eligible customers include Texas state agencies, county or local government offices, and public education entities of all sizes.

Leslie Ward, AT&T Texas President, said, “At AT&T, it’s our priority to provide our customers with advanced technologies to keep communities connected. We are proud to continue to work with the Texas Department of Information Resources and provide Texas government agencies and education institutions cost-effective and reliable solutions to meet the needs of Texas communities.”

George Spencer, AT&T AVP State, Local, Education and Healthcare Texas, commented, “We are honored to be selected, to support the vision that the State of Texas DIR leadership has for keeping all governmental entities in Texas connected and secured. This comprehensive innovative approach enables governments to keep pace and take advantage of continued advancements and integration in technology. AT&T local teams across Texas remain committed to supporting our clients.”