Here’s who is leading AT&T’s quest for broadband grants

AT&T CEO John Stankey revealed the operator has set up a dedicated internal team to focus on chasing its fair share of the billions in government funding being allocated for broadband deployments. This effort is being led by President of Broadband Access and Adoption Jeff Luong. Luong has been with AT&T for more than 15 years, assuming his current role in June 2021. Before that, he spent five years as the operator’s VP of access construction and engineering. AT&T EVP of Technology Operations Chris Sambar said the operator has already identified well over $1 billion in prime grant opportunities, but said its assessment remains ongoing. He added there’s no limit to the amount of funding AT&T will apply for. A key funding pot up for grabs is the $42.45 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program which is set to be distributed through state grant programs. Stankey said it expects more clarity will emerge in the coming months about "exactly how that gets done" as the Federal Communications Commission completes new coverage maps which will determine what areas are eligible for funding.