{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"157088","rtpr_id":"nPn53JsJWa-20260930","ticker":"T","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["T"],"title":"From Cloud Connectivity to AI, AT&T Proof of Concept Labs™ Has Spent 30 Years Validating Technology for Customers","author":"PR Newswire","published_at":"2026-09-30T15:50:00.040Z","article_body":"From Cloud Connectivity to AI, AT&T Proof of Concept Labs™ Has Spent 30 Years Validating Technology for Customers\nPR Newswire\n\nDALLAS, Sept. 30, 2026\n\nAs one of the industry's first customer-centered labs, the AT&T Proof of\nConcept Labs has helped test and prove technologies across networking,\nmobility, 5G, edge, and more.\n\nKey Takeaways:\n\n * For 30 years, AT&T's Proof of Concept (PoC) Labs have provided enterprises\nwith a real-world environment to evaluate emerging solutions, from early IP\nnetworking to edge computing.\n * As AT&T marks 150 years since the first phone call, the labs are a\ntestament to the company's commitment to customer-led innovation and success.\n * The team of AT&T experts works with more than 500 customers each year\nacross healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more, helping them leverage\nconnectivity solutions to lead their industries.\n * Innovative companies like the Dallas Cowboys, DirtFish Rally School,\niHeartMedia, and Sovato have used the labs to validate connectivity for\nlarge-scale events, remote broadcasts, resilient real-time audio delivery, and\nremote surgical applications.\nDALLAS, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T Proof of Concept (PoC) Labs\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2293738974&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fbusiness-solutions%2Fproof-of-concept-labs&a=AT%26T+Proof+of+Concept+(PoC)+Labs)\n celebrates its 30th anniversary as the first-of-its-kind enabler of\nnext-level networking technology and innovation. In a hands-on lab, customers\nand AT&T teams test and validate emerging technologies before they are\ndeployed in the real world, helping ensure new services, experiences, and\ntechnologies work reliably at scale. Established in 1996, the program began\nas a practical way to help customers understand how new networking\ntechnologies would perform in their own environments. What started with a\nsmall lab spun off from AT&T Bell Laboratories grew into an important\ndriver of customer satisfaction for AT&T Business\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2638157652&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2F&a=AT%26T+Business)\n, supporting more than 500 enterprise businesses each year across a variety of\nindustries.\n\n\"We start with the customer first. For three decades, the AT&T PoC Labs\nhave been a critical vehicle for helping customers move from possibility to\nexecution,\" said Zee Hussain, SVP, Global Enterprise Solutions, AT&T\nBusiness. \"As one of the industry's first customer-focused innovation labs,\nthis program is a proof point for AT&T's role as the right collaborator\nwho understands and solves connectivity needs. The customer leads the way, and\nwe work alongside them to test what's possible and connect them to greater\npossibility.\"\n\nFrom early networking to business-grade innovation\nAs businesses began moving from legacy networking technologies to more\nflexible Internet Protocol (IP)-based environments, the original vision was\nsimple: bring customers, AT&T experts, and emerging technologies together\nto validate solutions and make decisions faster. Over time, the labs evolved\ninto a proving ground where customers could see new technology in action, test\ntheir own applications, assess network designs, and reduce risk before\ndeploying at scale.\n\nKey milestones that helped shape business connectivity as we know it:\n\n * 1990s: IP Networking – Businesses needed more flexible networks as they\nexpanded beyond headquarters and adopted email, client-server applications,\nand early internet-based tools. AT&T experts helped companies move from\nlegacy networking to IP-based applications through technologies like\nIP-enabled Frame Relay, laying the foundation for modern business operations.\n * 2000s: Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Global Enterprise\nConnectivity – Increasingly distributed organizations required secure,\nreliable connectivity across locations. Testing supported the adoption of\nMPLS-based architectures, establishing the foundation for modern\nwide-area networks (WANs)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=220429699&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fsd-wan.html&a=wide-area+networks+(WANs))\n\n, global collaboration, and real-time business operations.\n * 2010s: Cloud Adoption – The shift of applications and workloads to\ncloud environments\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1684493552&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Flearn%2Farticles%2Fwhat-is-cloud-connectivity.html&a=cloud+environments)\n\n increased the need for better network performance and greater control over\ntraffic between corporate networks and cloud platforms. The team helped\nenterprises integrate cloud connectivity and software-defined networking into\nexisting environments through solutions like\nAT&T NetBond®\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2991809606&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fnetbond.html&a=AT%26T+NetBond%C2%AE)\n\n, helping accelerate cloud adoption.\n * Today: Converged Connectivity, Secure Edge, Private Cellular, and 5G – Edge\ncomputing, industrial automation, AI workloads, and connected devices require\nsecure, resilient connectivity wherever work happens. In the labs, customers\ncan test live applications and a variety of configurations that bring together\nfiber, 5G, satellite, security, and edge technologies as part of AT&T's\nconverged network strategy. The testing environment also evaluates\ncapabilities such as\nprivate cellular\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1243218416&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-private-cellular-networks.html&a=private+cellular)\n\n,\nnetwork-integrated security\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=683170855&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-dynamic-defense.html&a=network-integrated+security)\n\n,\nedge computing\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2651112715&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fcategories%2Fatt-on-premise-edge.html&a=edge+computing)\n\n, and\n5G-enabled solutions\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2740153468&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fportfolios%2F5G-for-business.html&a=5G-enabled+solutions)\n\n, helping customers determine how they can support use cases for\nmanufacturing, remote operations, large events, and other emerging\napplications.\nToday, the AT&T PoC Labs have locations in Dallas; Alpharetta, Ga.;\nChantilly, Va.; Chicago; and Middletown, N.J. Testing happens in the labs, at\ncustomer sites, and in the field using portable Proof of Concept Kits that\nsupport use cases such as Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=455004884&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fsd-wan.html&a=Software-Defined+Wide+Area+Network+(SD-WAN))\n with 5G\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2214781787&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fportfolios%2F5G-for-business.html&a=5G)\n and low Earth orbit satellite (LEO)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1528568837&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fstory%2F2026%2Famazon-leo-satellite.html&a=low+Earth+orbit+satellite+(LEO))\n, as well as private 5G with endpoint devices.\n\nCustomer innovation across industries\nThe clearest measure of the labs' impact is the innovation customers have been\nable to achieve, turning ideas into possibility. Across industries, the team\nhas helped customers translate complex connectivity challenges into practical\nbreakthroughs, from cashless vending and enhanced fan experiences to new\npossibilities for remote surgery.\n\n * DirtFish Rally School\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1810793797&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2026%2Fdirtfish-connectivity.html&a=DirtFish+Rally+School)\n\n faced a connectivity challenge when broadcasting a live summit from the\nfoothills of Washington's Cascade Mountains, where cellular and Wi-Fi coverage\nwas unavailable. The AT&T PoC Labs and\nGlobal Video Solutions (GVS)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=217959273&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-global-video-solutions.html&a=Global+Video+Solutions+(GVS))\n\n team deployed a Proof of Concept Kit with a portable private wireless\nnetwork from a carry-on-size suitcase, replacing equipment that once required\na 50-foot bus. The solution supported live in-car footage and new camera\nangles, creating a more dynamic viewing experience for fans.\n\"While the technology inside our cars is cutting edge, our ability to share\nthe sport hasn't kept pace,\" said Brenten Kelly, managing director at DirtFish\nRally School. \"Rally happens in some of the most remote places in the country,\noften without cellular service. If we couldn't document it, we couldn't share\nthe sport beyond the people standing at the side of the road with us. The PoC\nLabs and GVS helped us prove that we could bring those experiences to a much\nlarger audience and showed us what was possible for the future of rally\nracing.\"\n\n * Dallas Cowboys\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=298258827&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2026%2Fnetwork-behind-connected-cowboys-gameday.html&a=Dallas+Cowboys)\n\n needed reliable connectivity for event operations as fan experiences\nexpanded beyond the stadium into surrounding areas where traditional Wi-Fi may\nnot reach. AT&T Business Wireless and lab experts helped test a network\nslicing solution over AT&T's public 5G network, creating a prioritized\nlane for critical operations and helping inform future deployments across\nlarge, sports-anchored districts.\n * iHeartMedia\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=3880174353&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2026%2Fiheartmedia-network-modernization.html&a=iHeartMedia)\n\n reaches nine out of 10 Americans through its broadcast radio assets, and\neven more through its iHeartRadio streaming service, podcasts, and other\nplatforms. To support resilient, real-time audio delivery nationwide, the\ncompany worked with the labs to compare leading SD-WAN platforms under\nidentical conditions. The testing validated performance against iHeartMedia's\nresiliency and operational needs, giving the company confidence to make a\ndata-driven technology decision.\n * Sovato\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=733072871&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2025%2Fsovato-and-att-business.html&a=Sovato)\n\n, the world's first robot-agnostic platform for remote procedure programs,\ndepends on highly secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity to\nprovide its solution that enables remote surgery and procedure programs. The\ncompany worked with the PoC Labs to evaluate\nAT&T Virtual Private Network (VPN)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1994907984&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fvpn.html&a=AT%26T+Virtual+Private+Network+(VPN))\n\n,\nAT&T Dedicated Internet\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2188147951&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-dedicated-internet.html&a=AT%26T+Dedicated+Internet)\n\n, and AT&T satellite connectivity in real-world environments. The testing\nconfirmed that the network could consistently meet stringent performance\nrequirements for procedural and surgical applications, unlocking new\npossibilities for patient care, operational efficiency, and clinical\nexcellence.\nBuilt for what comes next\nAs AT&T continues to celebrate 150 years of connecting Americans\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=878909511&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fstory%2F2026%2F150-years-first-telephone-call.html&a=150+years+of+connecting+Americans)\n since the first telephone call, the AT&T PoC Labs carries that legacy\nforward. In the era of AI, this work ensures customers are prepared for the\nconsistent low latency needed for AI and automated technologies like\nautonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotics. The labs helped test and\nvalidate AT&T Private Cellular Anywhere,\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=3650118944&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DL9aXRVE0eHw&a=AT%26T+Private+Cellular+Anywhere%2C)\n a 5G solution designed to support real work across sites, hard‑to‑reach\nenvironments, and mobile teams with the control and performance modern\noperations require. The team also helps enterprise customers build AI-ready\nnetworks by evaluating how AI traffic patterns may affect network design and\nfuture capacity needs, helping customers prepare for an increasingly connected\nfuture.\n\nFrom private cellular to AI and what comes next, the labs connect innovation\nwith measurable business outcomes and help enterprises prepare for the future\nof connectivity. By helping customers test and validate advanced connectivity,\nthe AT&T PoC Labs enables new services, experiences and technologies to\nwork reliably while helping organizations move forward with confidence.\n\nLearn more about the AT&T PoC Labs and how to connect with the team:\nhttps://www.business.att.com/business-solutions/proof-of-concept-labs\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1130548171&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fbusiness-solutions%2Fproof-of-concept-labs&a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fbusiness-solutions%2Fproof-of-concept-labs)\n\nAbout AT&T\nWe help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus\nnearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first\nphone call 150 years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings\ntoday, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T\nInc. (NYSE: T), please visit us at about.att.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2706222186&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2F&a=about.att.com)\n. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1720127956&u=https%3A%2F%2Finvestors.att.com%2F&a=investors.att.com)\n.\n\n© 2026 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the\nGlobe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.\n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-cloud-connectivity-to-ai-att-proof-of-concept-labs-has-spent-30-years-validating-technology-for-customers-302894669.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-cloud-connectivity-to-ai-att-proof-of-concept-labs-has-spent-30-years-validating-technology-for-customers-302894669.html)\n\nSOURCE AT&T\n\n\n\nElizabeth Chow, AT&T Corporate Communications, Phone: (972) 209-2014, Email: elizabeth.chow@att.com\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS594853/AT-T-Logo-V1.jpg?id=OA2977447\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nPn53JsJWa-20260930","title":"From Cloud Connectivity to AI, AT&T Proof of Concept Labs™ Has Spent 30 Years Validating Technology for Customers","author":"PR Newswire","ticker":"T","created":"2026-09-30T15:50:00.040Z","tickers":["T"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"From Cloud Connectivity to AI, AT&T Proof of Concept Labs™ Has Spent 30 Years Validating Technology for Customers\nPR Newswire\n\nDALLAS, Sept. 30, 2026\n\nAs one of the industry's first customer-centered labs, the AT&T Proof of\nConcept Labs has helped test and prove technologies across networking,\nmobility, 5G, edge, and more.\n\nKey Takeaways:\n\n * For 30 years, AT&T's Proof of Concept (PoC) Labs have provided enterprises\nwith a real-world environment to evaluate emerging solutions, from early IP\nnetworking to edge computing.\n * As AT&T marks 150 years since the first phone call, the labs are a\ntestament to the company's commitment to customer-led innovation and success.\n * The team of AT&T experts works with more than 500 customers each year\nacross healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more, helping them leverage\nconnectivity solutions to lead their industries.\n * Innovative companies like the Dallas Cowboys, DirtFish Rally School,\niHeartMedia, and Sovato have used the labs to validate connectivity for\nlarge-scale events, remote broadcasts, resilient real-time audio delivery, and\nremote surgical applications.\nDALLAS, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T Proof of Concept (PoC) Labs\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2293738974&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fbusiness-solutions%2Fproof-of-concept-labs&a=AT%26T+Proof+of+Concept+(PoC)+Labs)\n celebrates its 30th anniversary as the first-of-its-kind enabler of\nnext-level networking technology and innovation. In a hands-on lab, customers\nand AT&T teams test and validate emerging technologies before they are\ndeployed in the real world, helping ensure new services, experiences, and\ntechnologies work reliably at scale. Established in 1996, the program began\nas a practical way to help customers understand how new networking\ntechnologies would perform in their own environments. What started with a\nsmall lab spun off from AT&T Bell Laboratories grew into an important\ndriver of customer satisfaction for AT&T Business\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2638157652&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2F&a=AT%26T+Business)\n, supporting more than 500 enterprise businesses each year across a variety of\nindustries.\n\n\"We start with the customer first. For three decades, the AT&T PoC Labs\nhave been a critical vehicle for helping customers move from possibility to\nexecution,\" said Zee Hussain, SVP, Global Enterprise Solutions, AT&T\nBusiness. \"As one of the industry's first customer-focused innovation labs,\nthis program is a proof point for AT&T's role as the right collaborator\nwho understands and solves connectivity needs. The customer leads the way, and\nwe work alongside them to test what's possible and connect them to greater\npossibility.\"\n\nFrom early networking to business-grade innovation\nAs businesses began moving from legacy networking technologies to more\nflexible Internet Protocol (IP)-based environments, the original vision was\nsimple: bring customers, AT&T experts, and emerging technologies together\nto validate solutions and make decisions faster. Over time, the labs evolved\ninto a proving ground where customers could see new technology in action, test\ntheir own applications, assess network designs, and reduce risk before\ndeploying at scale.\n\nKey milestones that helped shape business connectivity as we know it:\n\n * 1990s: IP Networking – Businesses needed more flexible networks as they\nexpanded beyond headquarters and adopted email, client-server applications,\nand early internet-based tools. AT&T experts helped companies move from\nlegacy networking to IP-based applications through technologies like\nIP-enabled Frame Relay, laying the foundation for modern business operations.\n * 2000s: Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Global Enterprise\nConnectivity – Increasingly distributed organizations required secure,\nreliable connectivity across locations. Testing supported the adoption of\nMPLS-based architectures, establishing the foundation for modern\nwide-area networks (WANs)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=220429699&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fsd-wan.html&a=wide-area+networks+(WANs))\n\n, global collaboration, and real-time business operations.\n * 2010s: Cloud Adoption – The shift of applications and workloads to\ncloud environments\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1684493552&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Flearn%2Farticles%2Fwhat-is-cloud-connectivity.html&a=cloud+environments)\n\n increased the need for better network performance and greater control over\ntraffic between corporate networks and cloud platforms. The team helped\nenterprises integrate cloud connectivity and software-defined networking into\nexisting environments through solutions like\nAT&T NetBond®\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2991809606&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fnetbond.html&a=AT%26T+NetBond%C2%AE)\n\n, helping accelerate cloud adoption.\n * Today: Converged Connectivity, Secure Edge, Private Cellular, and 5G – Edge\ncomputing, industrial automation, AI workloads, and connected devices require\nsecure, resilient connectivity wherever work happens. In the labs, customers\ncan test live applications and a variety of configurations that bring together\nfiber, 5G, satellite, security, and edge technologies as part of AT&T's\nconverged network strategy. The testing environment also evaluates\ncapabilities such as\nprivate cellular\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1243218416&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-private-cellular-networks.html&a=private+cellular)\n\n,\nnetwork-integrated security\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=683170855&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-dynamic-defense.html&a=network-integrated+security)\n\n,\nedge computing\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2651112715&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fcategories%2Fatt-on-premise-edge.html&a=edge+computing)\n\n, and\n5G-enabled solutions\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2740153468&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fportfolios%2F5G-for-business.html&a=5G-enabled+solutions)\n\n, helping customers determine how they can support use cases for\nmanufacturing, remote operations, large events, and other emerging\napplications.\nToday, the AT&T PoC Labs have locations in Dallas; Alpharetta, Ga.;\nChantilly, Va.; Chicago; and Middletown, N.J. Testing happens in the labs, at\ncustomer sites, and in the field using portable Proof of Concept Kits that\nsupport use cases such as Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=455004884&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fsd-wan.html&a=Software-Defined+Wide+Area+Network+(SD-WAN))\n with 5G\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2214781787&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fportfolios%2F5G-for-business.html&a=5G)\n and low Earth orbit satellite (LEO)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1528568837&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fstory%2F2026%2Famazon-leo-satellite.html&a=low+Earth+orbit+satellite+(LEO))\n, as well as private 5G with endpoint devices.\n\nCustomer innovation across industries\nThe clearest measure of the labs' impact is the innovation customers have been\nable to achieve, turning ideas into possibility. Across industries, the team\nhas helped customers translate complex connectivity challenges into practical\nbreakthroughs, from cashless vending and enhanced fan experiences to new\npossibilities for remote surgery.\n\n * DirtFish Rally School\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1810793797&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2026%2Fdirtfish-connectivity.html&a=DirtFish+Rally+School)\n\n faced a connectivity challenge when broadcasting a live summit from the\nfoothills of Washington's Cascade Mountains, where cellular and Wi-Fi coverage\nwas unavailable. The AT&T PoC Labs and\nGlobal Video Solutions (GVS)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=217959273&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-global-video-solutions.html&a=Global+Video+Solutions+(GVS))\n\n team deployed a Proof of Concept Kit with a portable private wireless\nnetwork from a carry-on-size suitcase, replacing equipment that once required\na 50-foot bus. The solution supported live in-car footage and new camera\nangles, creating a more dynamic viewing experience for fans.\n\"While the technology inside our cars is cutting edge, our ability to share\nthe sport hasn't kept pace,\" said Brenten Kelly, managing director at DirtFish\nRally School. \"Rally happens in some of the most remote places in the country,\noften without cellular service. If we couldn't document it, we couldn't share\nthe sport beyond the people standing at the side of the road with us. The PoC\nLabs and GVS helped us prove that we could bring those experiences to a much\nlarger audience and showed us what was possible for the future of rally\nracing.\"\n\n * Dallas Cowboys\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=298258827&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2026%2Fnetwork-behind-connected-cowboys-gameday.html&a=Dallas+Cowboys)\n\n needed reliable connectivity for event operations as fan experiences\nexpanded beyond the stadium into surrounding areas where traditional Wi-Fi may\nnot reach. AT&T Business Wireless and lab experts helped test a network\nslicing solution over AT&T's public 5G network, creating a prioritized\nlane for critical operations and helping inform future deployments across\nlarge, sports-anchored districts.\n * iHeartMedia\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=3880174353&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2026%2Fiheartmedia-network-modernization.html&a=iHeartMedia)\n\n reaches nine out of 10 Americans through its broadcast radio assets, and\neven more through its iHeartRadio streaming service, podcasts, and other\nplatforms. To support resilient, real-time audio delivery nationwide, the\ncompany worked with the labs to compare leading SD-WAN platforms under\nidentical conditions. The testing validated performance against iHeartMedia's\nresiliency and operational needs, giving the company confidence to make a\ndata-driven technology decision.\n * Sovato\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=733072871&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fblogs%2F2025%2Fsovato-and-att-business.html&a=Sovato)\n\n, the world's first robot-agnostic platform for remote procedure programs,\ndepends on highly secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity to\nprovide its solution that enables remote surgery and procedure programs. The\ncompany worked with the PoC Labs to evaluate\nAT&T Virtual Private Network (VPN)\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1994907984&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fvpn.html&a=AT%26T+Virtual+Private+Network+(VPN))\n\n,\nAT&T Dedicated Internet\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2188147951&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fproducts%2Fatt-dedicated-internet.html&a=AT%26T+Dedicated+Internet)\n\n, and AT&T satellite connectivity in real-world environments. The testing\nconfirmed that the network could consistently meet stringent performance\nrequirements for procedural and surgical applications, unlocking new\npossibilities for patient care, operational efficiency, and clinical\nexcellence.\nBuilt for what comes next\nAs AT&T continues to celebrate 150 years of connecting Americans\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=878909511&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2Fstory%2F2026%2F150-years-first-telephone-call.html&a=150+years+of+connecting+Americans)\n since the first telephone call, the AT&T PoC Labs carries that legacy\nforward. In the era of AI, this work ensures customers are prepared for the\nconsistent low latency needed for AI and automated technologies like\nautonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotics. The labs helped test and\nvalidate AT&T Private Cellular Anywhere,\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=3650118944&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DL9aXRVE0eHw&a=AT%26T+Private+Cellular+Anywhere%2C)\n a 5G solution designed to support real work across sites, hard‑to‑reach\nenvironments, and mobile teams with the control and performance modern\noperations require. The team also helps enterprise customers build AI-ready\nnetworks by evaluating how AI traffic patterns may affect network design and\nfuture capacity needs, helping customers prepare for an increasingly connected\nfuture.\n\nFrom private cellular to AI and what comes next, the labs connect innovation\nwith measurable business outcomes and help enterprises prepare for the future\nof connectivity. By helping customers test and validate advanced connectivity,\nthe AT&T PoC Labs enables new services, experiences and technologies to\nwork reliably while helping organizations move forward with confidence.\n\nLearn more about the AT&T PoC Labs and how to connect with the team:\nhttps://www.business.att.com/business-solutions/proof-of-concept-labs\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1130548171&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fbusiness-solutions%2Fproof-of-concept-labs&a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.att.com%2Fbusiness-solutions%2Fproof-of-concept-labs)\n\nAbout AT&T\nWe help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus\nnearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first\nphone call 150 years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings\ntoday, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T\nInc. (NYSE: T), please visit us at about.att.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=2706222186&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.att.com%2F&a=about.att.com)\n. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4785688-1&h=1720127956&u=https%3A%2F%2Finvestors.att.com%2F&a=investors.att.com)\n.\n\n© 2026 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the\nGlobe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.\n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-cloud-connectivity-to-ai-att-proof-of-concept-labs-has-spent-30-years-validating-technology-for-customers-302894669.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-cloud-connectivity-to-ai-att-proof-of-concept-labs-has-spent-30-years-validating-technology-for-customers-302894669.html)\n\nSOURCE AT&T\n\n\n\nElizabeth Chow, AT&T Corporate Communications, Phone: (972) 209-2014, Email: elizabeth.chow@att.com\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS594853/AT-T-Logo-V1.jpg?id=OA2977447\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-09-30T15:50:00.094190005Z","server_sent_at_ms":1790783400094},"received_at":"2026-09-30T15:50:00.246Z","source_url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-cloud-connectivity-to-ai-att-proof-of-concept-labs-has-spent-30-years-validating-technology-for-customers-302894669.html"},"analysis":{"id":"145763","press_release_id":"157088","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Telecom Services","sector":"Communication Services"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"other","narrative":"AT&T is marking the 30th anniversary of its Proof of Concept Labs, a customer-facing test environment for validating networking, 5G, edge, and AI-related technologies before real-world deployment.\n\nThe labs, spun out of AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1996, work with more than 500 enterprise customers annually across industries including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing; cited customers include the Dallas Cowboys, DirtFish Rally School, iHeartMedia, and Sovato.\n\nThe release is celebratory corporate communications with no financial, guidance, or strategic-change implications for AT&T investors.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Milestone PR with no investment signal -- suppress for alerts, optional brand-story content only."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"lab_anniversary_years":30,"company_anniversary_years":150,"customers_served_annually":"more than 500 enterprise businesses"}},"quotedText":"We start with the customer first. For three decades, the AT&T PoC Labs have been a critical vehicle for helping customers move from possibility to execution","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Zee Hussain","role":"SVP, Global Enterprise Solutions, AT&T Business"},{"name":"Brenten Kelly","role":"managing director, DirtFish Rally School"},{"name":"Elizabeth Chow","role":"AT&T Corporate Communications contact"}],"products":["AT&T Proof of Concept Labs","AT&T NetBond","AT&T Business Wireless","AT&T Private Cellular Anywhere","AT&T Virtual Private Network (VPN)","AT&T Dedicated Internet","AT&T Global Video Solutions","SD-WAN"],"companies":[{"name":"AT&T Inc.","ticker":"T","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Dallas Cowboys","relationship":"customer"},{"name":"DirtFish Rally School","relationship":"customer"},{"name":"iHeartMedia","relationship":"customer"},{"name":"Sovato","relationship":"customer"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Anniversary/branding feature about AT&T's Proof of Concept Labs with no financial results, guidance, or strategic change disclosed. 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