AT&T provides technical support to Dallas' Republican midterm convention

One of Dallas' largest employers has been dialed into Republican conventions for decades. For previous conventions, AT&T has set up temporary cell sites, added frequency to the region, supported internet service and created Wi-Fi hotspots. In Dallas, AT&T is one of the companies transforming what is normally a sports arena into a TV studio, event stage and newsroom for this week's Republican convention. AT&T trucks pulled up to American Airlines Center last week. AT&T said in a statement the company is well positioned to serve the needs of the Dallas Host Committee given its extensive fiber footprint and wireless assets as they hold the convention in Dallas, the company's headquarters city. The company said this isn't the first time the company has been involved with a political convention. 'For decades, both major political parties have asked us to assist them with network connectivity at their conventions, and we routinely expand and enhance our network to support large events that increase demand for connectivity and reliability,' AT&T said. Related: Live updates: Republican midterm rally brings Trump, Vance to Dallas AT&T's work with conventions can be traced back to 1924 when the company set up a network of 12 cities connected by telephone lines to broadcast the convention on radio, according to the company's website. During the 1984 convention in Dallas, AT&T was named the official provider of local, long distance and message services, according to The Washington Post's archives. Additionally, reporters filed news reports at the convention using a new cellular network created by Southwestern Bell Corp., which would later acquire the original AT&T Corp. and rebrand as AT&T Inc. Political conventions can cause a sharp increase in data usage. At the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., AT&T saw an estimated 40% increase in data sent over its network compared with its previous highs, according to the company website. AT&T is one of the largest employers in Dallas with nearly 10,700 employees, according to the Dallas Economic Development Corp. However, in January the company announced plans to move its headquarters from downtown Dallas to Plano. AT&T established its headquarters in Dallas after relocating from San Antonio in 2008. The company is planning to partially move into its new Plano complex as early as 2028. On Monday, AT&T service disruptions affected thousands of customers across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Internet service was largely restored by Monday night. AT&T did not immediately respond to questions about if the disruption might impact the convention.