The Town of Carrboro and AT&T have signed an agreement to open the way for AT&T (NYSE: T) to build an ultrafast Internet network.

The AT&T plan is part of the North Carolina Next Generation Network initiative.

All six city governments involved have now signed on to the AT&T plan.

AT&T plans to deploy a fiber-optic based network to increase the capabilities and speed of its AT&T u-verse Internet and entertainment service.

“It is exciting that Carrboro has the opportunity to partner with AT&T GigaPower initiative. The state-of-the-art technology that this network delivers will help both residents and businesses,” said Mayor Lydia Lavelle in a statement. “In addition, I am pleased that this service will be extended to community centers and other public gathering spaces to provide access for our diverse community.”

Raleigh, Cary, Durham. Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem also have signed on to AT&T proposals.

A spokesperson for AT&T has confirmed that the agreements are non-exclusive, involves the assistance of the city in dealing with zoning and access to city right-of-way and also includes no financial terms or agreements other than those that will be negotiated later.

Recent WRAL TechWire coverage of NCNGN:

  • Why is AT&T expanding to Durham?
  • Durham: AT&T agreement isn’t inclusive
  • Winston-Salem is first to sign AT&T agreement
  • NCNGN backs AT&T plan

AT&T is seeking cooperation from local governments just as Google Fiber has in its own negotiations.

“It is exciting to see all six NCNGN communities ratify the agreement to bring ultra-fast fiber to the Research Triangle and Piedmont regions,” said Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T North Carolina. “While significant construction and engineering work lies ahead, and is actually already underway, we look forward to the opportunities, innovations and economic growth which this advanced network will deliver for the region and for customers.”

The North Carolina Next Generation Network consortium includes Duke, N.C. State, UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest universities as well as municipal governments in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Winston-Salem. 

AT&T has proposed to upgrade its existing U-verse Internet and entertainment network to a fiber-optic based network that would support speeds 10 times faster than traditional cable. Called “U-verse with GigaPower,” the ‘giga” plays off the term gigabit for speed.

Google is also considering much of the Triangle for deployment of its Google Fiber network.