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AT&T: Difference between revisions
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In 1982, U.S. [[Breakup of the Bell System|regulators broke up the AT&T monopoly]], requiring AT&T to divest its local subsidiaries, which it did by grouping them into seven individual companies.<ref>{{cite news |last= Pollack |first= Andrew |date= August 4, 1983 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/04/business/at-t-us-agree-on-final-aspects-of-bell-breakup.html |title= A.T.& T., U.S. AGREE ON FINAL ASPECTS OF BELL BREAKUP |work= The New York Times |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= The local companies, grouped into seven regional holding companies, will provide local telephone service and can sell, but not manufacture, telephone equipment. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/04/business/at-t-us-agree-on-final-aspects-of-bell-breakup.html |url-status= live }}</ref> These new companies were known as Regional Bell Operating Companies, or more informally, Baby Bells.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2014 |title=Lessons from the AT&T break up, 30 years later-CICTP |language=en-US |work=Tech Policy Daily |url=http://www.techpolicydaily.com/communications/lessons-att-break-30-years-later/ |access-date=April 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422035122/http://www.techpolicydaily.com/communications/lessons-att-break-30-years-later/ |archive-date=April 22, 2017}}</ref> AT&T continued to operate long-distance services but faced increasing competition from competitors such as [[MCI Communications|MCI]] and [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMgb9jEvriUC&q=AT&pg=PA21 |title=Factors affecting U.S. trade and shipments of information technology products computer equipment, telecommunications equipment, and semiconductors |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-1-4289-5190-7 |language=en |access-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313023400/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMgb9jEvriUC&q=AT&pg=PA21#v=snippet&q=AT&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> | In 1982, U.S. [[Breakup of the Bell System|regulators broke up the AT&T monopoly]], requiring AT&T to divest its local subsidiaries, which it did by grouping them into seven individual companies.<ref>{{cite news |last= Pollack |first= Andrew |date= August 4, 1983 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/04/business/at-t-us-agree-on-final-aspects-of-bell-breakup.html |title= A.T.& T., U.S. AGREE ON FINAL ASPECTS OF BELL BREAKUP |work= The New York Times |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= The local companies, grouped into seven regional holding companies, will provide local telephone service and can sell, but not manufacture, telephone equipment. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/04/business/at-t-us-agree-on-final-aspects-of-bell-breakup.html |url-status= live }}</ref> These new companies were known as Regional Bell Operating Companies, or more informally, Baby Bells.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2014 |title=Lessons from the AT&T break up, 30 years later-CICTP |language=en-US |work=Tech Policy Daily |url=http://www.techpolicydaily.com/communications/lessons-att-break-30-years-later/ |access-date=April 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422035122/http://www.techpolicydaily.com/communications/lessons-att-break-30-years-later/ |archive-date=April 22, 2017}}</ref> AT&T continued to operate long-distance services but faced increasing competition from competitors such as [[MCI Communications|MCI]] and [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMgb9jEvriUC&q=AT&pg=PA21 |title=Factors affecting U.S. trade and shipments of information technology products computer equipment, telecommunications equipment, and semiconductors |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-1-4289-5190-7 |language=en |access-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313023400/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMgb9jEvriUC&q=AT&pg=PA21#v=snippet&q=AT&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
Southwestern Bell Corporation (SBC) was one of the companies created by the breakup of AT&T Corp.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=A brief history of AT&T - Jul. 9, 2001 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2001/07/09/deals/att_history/#:~:text=In%201899,%20AT&T%20bought%20Bell%27s,of%20$75%20for%20five%20minutes. |access-date=June 30, 2020 |website=money.cnn.com |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230504/https://money.cnn.com/2001/07/09/deals/att_history/#:~:text=In%201899,%20AT&T%20bought%20Bell%27s,of%20$75%20for%20five%20minutes. |url-status=live }}</ref> The company soon started a series of acquisitions, including the 1987 acquisition of [[Metromedia]] mobile business and the acquisition of several cable companies in the early 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} In the latter half of the 1990s, the company acquired several other telecommunications companies, including two Baby Bells ([[Pacific Telesis|Pacific Telesis Group]] and [[Ameritech|Ameritech Corporation]]),<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=TE004 |title= TELEPHONE INDUSTRY |website= [[Oklahoma Historical Society]] |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= After Congress de-regulated the telecommunications industry in February 1996, allowing regional companies to compete with long distance carriers, among other rule changes, SBC began to expand. In 1996 it merged with Pacific Telesis Group, and in 1998 the company bought the Ameritech Corporation. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=TE004 |url-status= live }}</ref> while selling its cable business. During this time, the company changed its name to SBC Communications Inc.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roundup |first=An Interactive Journal News |date=June 24, 1998 |title=AT&T Agrees to Acquire TCI, Creating a Telecom Behemoth |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB898571162416331500 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703050823/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB898571162416331500 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 1997 [[C. Michael Armstrong]] was named CEO, and Armstrong appointed [[John Zeglis]] as president later in that same year. By 1998, the company was in the top 15 of the Fortune 500, and by 1999, when Zeglis assumed the positions of chairman and CEO of [[At&t wireless|AT&T Wireless]], AT&T was part of the [[Dow Jones Industrial Average]] (lasting through 2015).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dow-jones-djia.com/2007/05/26/november-1-1999-changes-to-dow-jones-industrial-average/ |title= NOVEMBER 1, 1999 Changes to Dow Jones Industrial Average |website= Dow Jones Industrial Stocks |access-date= April 22, 2021 |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035752/http://www.dow-jones-djia.com/2007/05/26/november-1-1999-changes-to-dow-jones-industrial-average/ |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Gaffen |first= David |date= March 6, 2015 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-dow/at-long-last-dow-gets-a-taste-for-apple-idUKKBN0M21H020150306 |title= At long last, Dow gets a taste for Apple |work= | Southwestern Bell Corporation (SBC) was one of the companies created by the breakup of AT&T Corp.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=A brief history of AT&T - Jul. 9, 2001 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2001/07/09/deals/att_history/#:~:text=In%201899,%20AT&T%20bought%20Bell%27s,of%20$75%20for%20five%20minutes. |access-date=June 30, 2020 |website=money.cnn.com |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230504/https://money.cnn.com/2001/07/09/deals/att_history/#:~:text=In%201899,%20AT&T%20bought%20Bell%27s,of%20$75%20for%20five%20minutes. |url-status=live }}</ref> The company soon started a series of acquisitions, including the 1987 acquisition of [[Metromedia]] mobile business and the acquisition of several cable companies in the early 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} In the latter half of the 1990s, the company acquired several other telecommunications companies, including two Baby Bells ([[Pacific Telesis|Pacific Telesis Group]] and [[Ameritech|Ameritech Corporation]]),<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=TE004 |title= TELEPHONE INDUSTRY |website= [[Oklahoma Historical Society]] |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= After Congress de-regulated the telecommunications industry in February 1996, allowing regional companies to compete with long distance carriers, among other rule changes, SBC began to expand. In 1996 it merged with Pacific Telesis Group, and in 1998 the company bought the Ameritech Corporation. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=TE004 |url-status= live }}</ref> while selling its cable business. During this time, the company changed its name to SBC Communications Inc.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roundup |first=An Interactive Journal News |date=June 24, 1998 |title=AT&T Agrees to Acquire TCI, Creating a Telecom Behemoth |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB898571162416331500 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703050823/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB898571162416331500 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 1997 [[C. Michael Armstrong]] was named CEO, and Armstrong appointed [[John Zeglis]] as president later in that same year. By 1998, the company was in the top 15 of the Fortune 500, and by 1999, when Zeglis assumed the positions of chairman and CEO of [[At&t wireless|AT&T Wireless]], AT&T was part of the [[Dow Jones Industrial Average]] (lasting through 2015).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dow-jones-djia.com/2007/05/26/november-1-1999-changes-to-dow-jones-industrial-average/ |title= NOVEMBER 1, 1999 Changes to Dow Jones Industrial Average |website= Dow Jones Industrial Stocks |access-date= April 22, 2021 |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035752/http://www.dow-jones-djia.com/2007/05/26/november-1-1999-changes-to-dow-jones-industrial-average/ |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Gaffen |first= David |date= March 6, 2015 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-dow/at-long-last-dow-gets-a-taste-for-apple-idUKKBN0M21H020150306 |title= At long last, Dow gets a taste for Apple |work= Reuters |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= Apple Inc AAPL.O, the largest U.S. company by market value, will join the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI, replacing AT&T Inc T.N, in a change that reflects the dominant position of the iPhone maker in the U.S. consumer economy. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035749/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-dow/at-long-last-dow-gets-a-taste-for-apple-idUKKBN0M21H020150306 |url-status= live }}</ref> Zeglis ended his service as president of AT&T in 2001 and resigned from his positions in AT&T Wireless in 2004. | ||
=== Purchase of former parent and acquisitions (2005–2013) === | === Purchase of former parent and acquisitions (2005–2013) === | ||
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AT&T made [[History of AT&T#2011: Attempted acquisition of T-Mobile USA|an attempt in 2011]] to purchase [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]] for a $39 billion stock and cash offer.<ref name="abc">{{cite news |date=March 20, 2011 |title = AT&T to Buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion |newspaper = The New York Times |url = https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/att-to-buy-t-mobile-usa-for-39-billion/?hp |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110322105956/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/att-to-buy-t-mobile-usa-for-39-billion/?hp |archive-date=March 22, 2011 }}</ref> The bid was withdrawn after the takeover company was faced with significant regulatory and legal hurdles, along with heavy resistance from the U.S. government. As per the original acquisition agreement, T-Mobile received $3 billion in cash as well as access to $1 billion worth of AT&T-held wireless spectrum.<ref>{{cite web |author = AT&T |date = December 19, 2011 |title = AT&T Ends Bid To Add Network Capacity Through T-Mobile USA Purchase |url = http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22146&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33560&mapcode=corporate%7Cwireless-networks-general |access-date = December 19, 2011 |website = AT&T |archive-date = July 21, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150721114105/http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22146&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33560&mapcode=corporate%7Cwireless-networks-general |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Timothy B. |date=December 19, 2011 |title=AT&T admits defeat on T-Mobile takeover, will pay $4 billion breakup fee |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/12/att-admits-defeat-on-t-mobile-takeover-will-pay-4-billion-breakup-fee/ |access-date=October 8, 2020 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008213842/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/12/att-admits-defeat-on-t-mobile-takeover-will-pay-4-billion-breakup-fee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | AT&T made [[History of AT&T#2011: Attempted acquisition of T-Mobile USA|an attempt in 2011]] to purchase [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]] for a $39 billion stock and cash offer.<ref name="abc">{{cite news |date=March 20, 2011 |title = AT&T to Buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion |newspaper = The New York Times |url = https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/att-to-buy-t-mobile-usa-for-39-billion/?hp |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110322105956/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/att-to-buy-t-mobile-usa-for-39-billion/?hp |archive-date=March 22, 2011 }}</ref> The bid was withdrawn after the takeover company was faced with significant regulatory and legal hurdles, along with heavy resistance from the U.S. government. As per the original acquisition agreement, T-Mobile received $3 billion in cash as well as access to $1 billion worth of AT&T-held wireless spectrum.<ref>{{cite web |author = AT&T |date = December 19, 2011 |title = AT&T Ends Bid To Add Network Capacity Through T-Mobile USA Purchase |url = http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22146&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33560&mapcode=corporate%7Cwireless-networks-general |access-date = December 19, 2011 |website = AT&T |archive-date = July 21, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150721114105/http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22146&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33560&mapcode=corporate%7Cwireless-networks-general |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Timothy B. |date=December 19, 2011 |title=AT&T admits defeat on T-Mobile takeover, will pay $4 billion breakup fee |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/12/att-admits-defeat-on-t-mobile-takeover-will-pay-4-billion-breakup-fee/ |access-date=October 8, 2020 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008213842/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/12/att-admits-defeat-on-t-mobile-takeover-will-pay-4-billion-breakup-fee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
In September 2013, AT&T announced it would expand into [[Latin America]] through a collaboration with [[América Móvil]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Carew |first = Sinead |date=September 18, 2013 |title = AT&T to expand in Latin America with America Movil deal |work= | In September 2013, AT&T announced it would expand into [[Latin America]] through a collaboration with [[América Móvil]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Carew |first = Sinead |date=September 18, 2013 |title = AT&T to expand in Latin America with America Movil deal |work=Reuters |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-att-americamovil-idUSBRE98H02Z20130918 |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184845/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/us-att-americamovil-idUSBRE98H02Z20130918 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> In December 2013, AT&T announced plans to sell its Connecticut wireline operations to Stamford-based [[Frontier Communications]].<ref>{{cite web |author=AT&T |date=December 17, 2013 |title=AT&T Announces Plans to Sell Connecticut Wireline Operations to Frontier Communications for $2.0 Billion |website=AT&T |url = http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=25160&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=37344 |url-status=live |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224345/http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=25160&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=37344 |archive-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> | ||
AT&T acquired [[BellSouth|BellSouth Corporation]] on December 29, 2006, following [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] approval.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bajaj |first= Vikas |date= December 30, 2006 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/30/business/30tele.html |title= BellSouth and AT&T Close Deal |newspaper= The New York Times |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= Federal regulators approved AT&T's $85.8 billion acquisition of BellSouth yesterday, allowing the companies to close their delayed deal. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/30/business/30tele.html |url-status= live }}</ref> The transaction consolidated ownership and management of Cingular Wireless.<ref>{{cite news |last= Vorman |first= Julie |date= January 21, 2007 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/businesspro-bellsouth-fcc-dc/att-closes-86-billion-bellsouth-deal-idUSWBT00636120061230 |title= AT&T closes $86 billion BellSouth deal |work= | AT&T acquired [[BellSouth|BellSouth Corporation]] on December 29, 2006, following [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] approval.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bajaj |first= Vikas |date= December 30, 2006 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/30/business/30tele.html |title= BellSouth and AT&T Close Deal |newspaper= The New York Times |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= Federal regulators approved AT&T's $85.8 billion acquisition of BellSouth yesterday, allowing the companies to close their delayed deal. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/30/business/30tele.html |url-status= live }}</ref> The transaction consolidated ownership and management of Cingular Wireless.<ref>{{cite news |last= Vorman |first= Julie |date= January 21, 2007 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/businesspro-bellsouth-fcc-dc/att-closes-86-billion-bellsouth-deal-idUSWBT00636120061230 |title= AT&T closes $86 billion BellSouth deal |work= Reuters |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= Now four of the seven companies that were spun off from the original AT&T in 1984 are back under one roof, and it includes 66.1 million telephone lines, 58.7 million Cingular Wireless customers and 11.6 million high-speed Internet customers. |archive-date= April 25, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210425014719/https://www.reuters.com/article/businesspro-bellsouth-fcc-dc/att-closes-86-billion-bellsouth-deal-idUSWBT00636120061230 |url-status= live }}</ref> AT&T rebranded its wireless retail stores from Cingular to AT&T in January 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last= Searcey |first= Dionne |date= January 12, 2007 |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116855760238674492 |title= Bye, Cingular, in AT&T Rebranding |newspaper= The Wall Street Journal |access-date= April 22, 2021 |quote= But in the long term, Mr. Lerman said, AT&T will benefit from the efficiency of having its well-known name appear on all its services. AT&T executives wouldn't say how much the rebranding will cost as they change signs in roughly 2,000 stores as well as employee uniforms and billing letterhead. But executives estimate 20% of the expected operating-expense savings from the merger will come from advertising, because of the single AT&T brand. |archive-date= April 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423035751/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116855760238674492 |url-status= live }}</ref> | ||
=== Recent developments (2013–present) === | === Recent developments (2013–present) === | ||
{{See also|History of AT&T#Recent developments (2013–present)}} | {{See also|History of AT&T#Recent developments (2013–present)}} | ||
In late 2014, AT&T purchased Mexican cellular carrier [[Iusacell]],<ref name="androidcentral.com">{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Chuong |date=November 7, 2014 |title=AT&T to expand North American coverage area with Mexico carrier Iusacell acquisition |url=http://www.androidcentral.com/att-expand-north-american-coverage-area-mexico-carrier-iusacell-acquisition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103231304/http://www.androidcentral.com/att-expand-north-american-coverage-area-mexico-carrier-iusacell-acquisition |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=Android Central}}</ref> and two months later, it purchased the Mexican wireless business of [[NII Holdings]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=AT&T to buy NII Holdings' wireless business in Mexico |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-niiholdings-divestment-at-t-idUSKBN0KZ17820150126 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918215427/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/26/us-niiholdings-divestment-at-t-idUSKBN0KZ17820150126 |archive-date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website= | In late 2014, AT&T purchased Mexican cellular carrier [[Iusacell]],<ref name="androidcentral.com">{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Chuong |date=November 7, 2014 |title=AT&T to expand North American coverage area with Mexico carrier Iusacell acquisition |url=http://www.androidcentral.com/att-expand-north-american-coverage-area-mexico-carrier-iusacell-acquisition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103231304/http://www.androidcentral.com/att-expand-north-american-coverage-area-mexico-carrier-iusacell-acquisition |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=Android Central}}</ref> and two months later, it purchased the Mexican wireless business of [[NII Holdings]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=AT&T to buy NII Holdings' wireless business in Mexico |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-niiholdings-divestment-at-t-idUSKBN0KZ17820150126 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918215427/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/26/us-niiholdings-divestment-at-t-idUSKBN0KZ17820150126 |archive-date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=Reuters}}</ref> AT&T merged the two companies to create [[AT&T Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2015 |title=Report: AT&T in talks to tap Mexico towers |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20150616/carriers/report-att-in-talks-to-tap-mexico-towers-tag2 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |website=RCR Wireless News |language=en-US |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028090900/https://www.rcrwireless.com/20150616/carriers/report-att-in-talks-to-tap-mexico-towers-tag2 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
In July 2015, AT&T purchased [[DirecTV]] for $48.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129024321/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website= | In July 2015, AT&T purchased [[DirecTV]] for $48.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129024321/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=AT&T & DirecTV Merger Gets FCC Approval – With Conditions |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/att-directv-merger-fcc-approval-1201484821/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013408/http://deadline.com/2015/07/att-directv-merger-fcc-approval-1201484821/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=FCC approves AT&T–DirecTV merger |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/24/8876267/att-directv-merger-approved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724230531/http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/24/8876267/att-directv-merger-approved |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> AT&T then announced plans to converge its existing U-verse home internet and IPTV brands with [[DirecTV]], to create [[AT&T Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=December 2, 2015 |title=AT&T Plans on Killing the DirecTV Name Starting in January |url=http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-on-Killing-the-DirecTV-Name-Starting-in-January-135765 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044449/http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Plans-on-Killing-the-DirecTV-Name-Starting-in-January-135765 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 2, 2015 |website=DSL Reports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Mike |date=December 2, 2015 |title=AT&T Enters Next Phase in DirecTV Branding |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/att-enters-next-phase-directv-branding/395664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204094054/http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/att-enters-next-phase-directv-branding/395664 |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |website=MultiChannel News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=April 26, 2016 |title=AT&T Sees DirecTV, Broadband Subscriber Gains in Q1 as U-verse Fades |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/att-directv-u-verse-earnings-1201761111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427151417/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/att-directv-u-verse-earnings-1201761111/ |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> | ||
On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced a deal to buy [[Time Warner]] for $108.7 billion in an effort to increase its media holdings.<ref name="discucssesideaholdings">{{Cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Ed |last2=Sherman |first2=Alex |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |date=October 20, 2016 |title=AT&T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021013535/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |newspaper=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name="asutotoincrease">{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Robert |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Report: AT&T considering buying Time Warner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024233649/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |website= | On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced a deal to buy [[Time Warner]] for $108.7 billion in an effort to increase its media holdings.<ref name="discucssesideaholdings">{{Cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Ed |last2=Sherman |first2=Alex |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |date=October 20, 2016 |title=AT&T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021013535/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |newspaper=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name="asutotoincrease">{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Robert |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Report: AT&T considering buying Time Warner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024233649/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="advancedtalksa">{{Cite web |last1=Hagey |first1=Keach |last2=Sharma |first2=Amol |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |date=October 21, 2016 |title=AT&T Is in Advanced Talks to Acquire Time Warner |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022013505/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Roger |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for more than $80B |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gryta |first1=Thomas |last2=Hagey |first2=Keach |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for $86 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=October 22, 2016 |title=AT&T Sets $85.4 Billion Time Warner Deal, CEOs Talk 'Unique' Potential of Combination |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023204133/http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=October 23, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On November 20, 2017, Assistant Attorney General [[Makan Delrahim]] filed a lawsuit for the [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division]] to block the merger with Time Warner, saying it "will harm competition, result in higher bills for consumers and less innovation."<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2017 |title=Justice Department sues to block AT&T-Time Warner merger |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-justice-department-antitrust/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120225324/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-justice-department-antitrust/ |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=November 21, 2017 |title=The Justice Department is suing AT&T to block its $85 billion bid for Time Warner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/20/the-justice-department-just-sued-att-to-block-its-85-billion-bid-for-time-warner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121061809/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/20/the-justice-department-just-sued-att-to-block-its-85-billion-bid-for-time-warner/ |archive-date=November 21, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> On June 12, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge [[Richard J. Leon]] ruled that the merger could go forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivanova |first=Irina |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Judge approves AT&T-Time Warner merger without conditions |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-without-conditions-judge-rules-today-time-warner-stock-price-rises-in-after-hours-trading/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613041013/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-without-conditions-judge-rules-today-time-warner-stock-price-rises-in-after-hours-trading/ |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> The merger closed two days afterwards, with Time Warner becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T. A day later, the company was renamed WarnerMedia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2018 |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of Time Warner Inc |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615011751/http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2018 |website=AT&T}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chmielewski |first=Dawn C. |date=June 14, 2018 |title=AT&T Completes $85B Acquisition Of Time Warner |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/att-completes-time-warner-acquisition-1202411103/ |access-date=August 14, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |language=en |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119214347/https://deadline.com/2018/06/att-completes-time-warner-acquisition-1202411103/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
Three months after completing the acquisition, AT&T reorganized into four main units: Communications, including consumer and business wireline telephony, AT&T Mobility, and consumer entertainment video services; WarnerMedia, including Turner cable television networks, [[Warner Bros.]] film and television production, and [[HBO]]; AT&T Latin America, consisting of wireless service in Mexico and video in Latin America and the Caribbean under the [[Vrio Corp.|Vrio]] brand; and Advertising and Analytics, since renamed [[Xandr]].<ref name="otp.tools.investis.com">{{Cite web |title=SEC-Show |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |website=otp.tools.investis.com |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224022459/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Brandy |date=September 21, 2018 |title=AT&T revises segment structure on Time Warner buy |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |website=Seeking Alpha |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726125732/https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |url-status=live }}</ref> | Three months after completing the acquisition, AT&T reorganized into four main units: Communications, including consumer and business wireline telephony, AT&T Mobility, and consumer entertainment video services; WarnerMedia, including Turner cable television networks, [[Warner Bros.]] film and television production, and [[HBO]]; AT&T Latin America, consisting of wireless service in Mexico and video in Latin America and the Caribbean under the [[Vrio Corp.|Vrio]] brand; and Advertising and Analytics, since renamed [[Xandr]].<ref name="otp.tools.investis.com">{{Cite web |title=SEC-Show |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |website=otp.tools.investis.com |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224022459/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Brandy |date=September 21, 2018 |title=AT&T revises segment structure on Time Warner buy |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |website=Seeking Alpha |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726125732/https://seekingalpha.com/news/3392053-t-revises-segment-structure-time-warner-buy |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
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On September 12, 2017, it was reported that AT&T planned to launch a new cable TV-like service for delivery over-the-top over its own or a competitor's broadband network sometime the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Engebretson |first=Joan |date=September 12, 2017 |title=AT&T CEO: Bye-Bye DirecTV, Hello AT&T OTT Video |url=http://www.telecompetitor.com/att-ceo-bye-bye-directv-hello-att-ott-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035457/http://www.telecompetitor.com/att-ceo-bye-bye-directv-hello-att-ott-video/ |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017 |website=Telecompetitor}}</ref> | On September 12, 2017, it was reported that AT&T planned to launch a new cable TV-like service for delivery over-the-top over its own or a competitor's broadband network sometime the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Engebretson |first=Joan |date=September 12, 2017 |title=AT&T CEO: Bye-Bye DirecTV, Hello AT&T OTT Video |url=http://www.telecompetitor.com/att-ceo-bye-bye-directv-hello-att-ott-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035457/http://www.telecompetitor.com/att-ceo-bye-bye-directv-hello-att-ott-video/ |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017 |website=Telecompetitor}}</ref> | ||
On March 7, 2018, the company prepared to sell a minority stake of DirecTV Latin America through an [[Initial public offering|IPO]], creating a new holding company for those assets named Vrio Corp.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2018 |title=AT&T Inc. Announces Filing of a Registration Statement for Potential IPO of Minority Stake in DIRECTV Latin America |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180307005563/en/ATT-Announces-Filing-Registration-Statement-Potential-IPO |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315220828/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180307005563/en/ATT-Announces-Filing-Registration-Statement-Potential-IPO |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Business Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 7, 2018 |title=AT&T's DirecTV Latin America Unit Files for IPO as Prelude to Possible Spinoff |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/atts-directv-latin-america-ipo-spinoff-vrio-1202720505/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310070238/http://variety.com/2018/biz/news/atts-directv-latin-america-ipo-spinoff-vrio-1202720505/ |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On April 18, just a day before the public debut of Vrio, AT&T canceled the IPO due to market conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2018 |title=AT&T Inc. Statement Regarding Planned Vrio Corp. IPO |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-inc-statement-regarding-planned-vrio-corp-ipo-300632663.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004650/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-inc-statement-regarding-planned-vrio-corp-ipo-300632663.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |website=PR Newswire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2018 |title=At the last minute, AT&T withdraws the planned IPO of its Vrio unit |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/19/at-the-last-minute-att-withdraws-the-planned-ipo-of-its-vrio-unit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004913/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/19/at-the-last-minute-att-withdraws-the-planned-ipo-of-its-vrio-unit.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |website=[[CNBC]]|agency= | On March 7, 2018, the company prepared to sell a minority stake of DirecTV Latin America through an [[Initial public offering|IPO]], creating a new holding company for those assets named Vrio Corp.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2018 |title=AT&T Inc. Announces Filing of a Registration Statement for Potential IPO of Minority Stake in DIRECTV Latin America |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180307005563/en/ATT-Announces-Filing-Registration-Statement-Potential-IPO |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315220828/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180307005563/en/ATT-Announces-Filing-Registration-Statement-Potential-IPO |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=Business Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 7, 2018 |title=AT&T's DirecTV Latin America Unit Files for IPO as Prelude to Possible Spinoff |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/atts-directv-latin-america-ipo-spinoff-vrio-1202720505/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310070238/http://variety.com/2018/biz/news/atts-directv-latin-america-ipo-spinoff-vrio-1202720505/ |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On April 18, just a day before the public debut of Vrio, AT&T canceled the IPO due to market conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2018 |title=AT&T Inc. Statement Regarding Planned Vrio Corp. IPO |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-inc-statement-regarding-planned-vrio-corp-ipo-300632663.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004650/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-inc-statement-regarding-planned-vrio-corp-ipo-300632663.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |website=PR Newswire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2018 |title=At the last minute, AT&T withdraws the planned IPO of its Vrio unit |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/19/at-the-last-minute-att-withdraws-the-planned-ipo-of-its-vrio-unit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004913/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/19/at-the-last-minute-att-withdraws-the-planned-ipo-of-its-vrio-unit.html |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |website=[[CNBC]]|agency=Reuters}}</ref> | ||
{{as of|2019|post=,}} AT&T is the world's largest telecommunications company.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The World's Largest Telecom Companies 2019: AT&T, Verizon Hold On To Top Spots Amid 5G Buzz |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2019/05/15/worlds-largest-telecom-companies-2019/ |date=May 15, 2019 |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611074039/https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2019/05/15/worlds-largest-telecom-companies-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> AT&T is also the largest provider of mobile telephone<ref name="AT&T">{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2019 |title=Financial and Operational Trends |url=https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2019/2q-2019/2Q19_Trending_Schedules.pdf |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=AT&T |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303011427/https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2019/2q-2019/2Q19_Trending_Schedules.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Verizon Wireless">{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2019 |title=Financial and Operating Information |url=https://www.verizon.com/about/file/36103/download?token=R4-WHI7h |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=Verizon |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806231405/https://www.verizon.com/about/file/36103/download%3Ftoken%3DR4-WHI7h |url-status=live }}</ref> services and the largest provider of [[telephone|fixed telephone]] (landline) services in the United States.<ref name="LRG">Leichtman Research Group, [http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/research/notes04_2012.pdf "Research Notes,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020173306/http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/research/notes04_2012.pdf |date=October 20, 2016}} First Quarter 2012, pg. 6, AT&T (#1) with 21,232,000 residential phone lines.</ref> | {{as of|2019|post=,}} AT&T is the world's largest telecommunications company.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The World's Largest Telecom Companies 2019: AT&T, Verizon Hold On To Top Spots Amid 5G Buzz |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2019/05/15/worlds-largest-telecom-companies-2019/ |date=May 15, 2019 |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611074039/https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2019/05/15/worlds-largest-telecom-companies-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> AT&T is also the largest provider of mobile telephone<ref name="AT&T">{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2019 |title=Financial and Operational Trends |url=https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2019/2q-2019/2Q19_Trending_Schedules.pdf |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=AT&T |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303011427/https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2019/2q-2019/2Q19_Trending_Schedules.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Verizon Wireless">{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2019 |title=Financial and Operating Information |url=https://www.verizon.com/about/file/36103/download?token=R4-WHI7h |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=Verizon |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806231405/https://www.verizon.com/about/file/36103/download%3Ftoken%3DR4-WHI7h |url-status=live }}</ref> services and the largest provider of [[telephone|fixed telephone]] (landline) services in the United States.<ref name="LRG">Leichtman Research Group, [http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/research/notes04_2012.pdf "Research Notes,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020173306/http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/research/notes04_2012.pdf |date=October 20, 2016}} First Quarter 2012, pg. 6, AT&T (#1) with 21,232,000 residential phone lines.</ref> | ||
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== Political involvement == | == Political involvement == | ||
{{Update section|date=June 2018}} | {{Update section|date=June 2018}} | ||
According to [[OpenSecrets]], AT&T was the fourteenth-largest donor to United States federal political campaigns and committees from 1989 to 2019,<ref name="osorghh2011">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Top Organization Contributors |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230184031/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |url-status=live }}</ref> having contributed more than {{US$|84.1 million}}, 42% of which went to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 58% of which went to Democrats. In 2005, AT&T was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President | According to [[OpenSecrets]], AT&T was the fourteenth-largest donor to United States federal political campaigns and committees from 1989 to 2019,<ref name="osorghh2011">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Top Organization Contributors |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230184031/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php?cycle=ALL |url-status=live }}</ref> having contributed more than {{US$|84.1 million}}, 42% of which went to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 58% of which went to Democrats. In 2005, AT&T was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President George W. Bush.<ref name="drinkard2005">{{Cite news |last=Drinkard |first=Jim |date=January 17, 2005 |title=Donors get good seats, great access this week |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235354/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="usatoday25may2008">{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2005 |title=Financing the inauguration |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235320/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="AP25may2005">{{Cite news |date=January 14, 2005 |title=Some question inaugural's multi-million price tag |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235330/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Bill Leahy, representing AT&T, sits on the Private Enterprise Board of the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Private Enterprise Board |website=American Legislative Exchange Council |url=http://www.alec.org/about-alec/private-enterprise-board/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511000739/http://www.alec.org/about-alec/private-enterprise-board/ |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> ALEC is a [[nonprofit organization]] of [[conservatism in the United States|conservative]] [[state legislature (United States)|state legislators]] and [[private sector]] representatives that drafts and shares model state-level legislation for distribution among state governments in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=May|first=Clifford |date=August 30, 1987 |title=Transportation Chief Attacks Congress on Safety |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/transportation-chief-attacks-congress-on-safety.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813143739/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/transportation-chief-attacks-congress-on-safety.html |archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="fcir">{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Howard |date=March 23, 2013 |title=NRA's Behind-the-Scenes Campaign Encouraged 'Stand Your Ground' Adoption |work=[[Florida Center for Investigative Reporting]] |url=http://fcir.org/2012/03/23/nras-behind-the-scenes-campaign-encouraged-stand-your-ground-adoption-across-the-country/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404154558/http://fcir.org/2012/03/23/nras-behind-the-scenes-campaign-encouraged-stand-your-ground-adoption-across-the-country/ |archive-date=April 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Marshall |date=January 14, 2014 |title='Right-to-work' bill praised and blasted in House committee hearing |work=[[KBIA]] |url=http://kbia.org/post/right-work-bill-praised-and-blasted-house-committee-hearing |url-status=live |access-date=November 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311233732/http://kbia.org/post/right-work-bill-praised-and-blasted-house-committee-hearing |archive-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref> | ||
During the period of 1998 to 2019, the company expended {{US$|380.1 million}} on [[lobbying]] in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2019">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=AT&T Inc: Summary |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000076&cycle=A |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110135351/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?cycle=A&id=D000000076 |url-status=live }}</ref> A key political issue for AT&T has been the question of which businesses win the right to profit by providing broadband internet access in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2007">{{Cite web |title=AT&T Inc |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT%26T+Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035728/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT&T+Inc |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |website=[[OpenSecrets]]}}</ref> The company has also lobbied in support of several federal bills. AT&T supported the [[Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3675; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would make a number of changes to procedures that the [[U.S. Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) follows in its rulemaking processes.<ref name="3675cbo">{{Cite web |title=H.R. 3675 - CBO |date=January 29, 2014 |url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212828/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2014 |website=Congressional Budget Office}}</ref> The FCC would have to act in a more transparent way as a result of this bill, forced to accept public input about regulations.<ref name="PeteVotesTransparency">{{Cite news |last=Kasperowicz |first=Pete |date=March 11, 2014 |title=House votes for more transparency at the FCC |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312074500/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc |archive-date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> AT&T's Executive Vice President of Federal Relations, Tim McKone, said that the bill's "much needed institutional reforms will help arm the agency with the tools to keep pace with the Internet speed of today's marketplace. It will also ensure that outmoded regulatory practices for today's competitive marketplace are properly placed in the dustbin of history."<ref name="ATTblog">{{Cite web |last=McKone |first=Tim |date=December 11, 2013 |title=AT&T Statement on Bipartisan Spectrum and FCC Reform Legislation |url=http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225128/http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |website=AT&T Public Policy Blog}}</ref> | During the period of 1998 to 2019, the company expended {{US$|380.1 million}} on [[lobbying]] in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2019">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=AT&T Inc: Summary |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000076&cycle=A |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |location=United States |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110135351/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?cycle=A&id=D000000076 |url-status=live }}</ref> A key political issue for AT&T has been the question of which businesses win the right to profit by providing broadband internet access in the United States.<ref name="osorgatt2007">{{Cite web |title=AT&T Inc |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT%26T+Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035728/http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000076&Name=AT&T+Inc |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |website=[[OpenSecrets]]}}</ref> The company has also lobbied in support of several federal bills. AT&T supported the [[Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3675; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would make a number of changes to procedures that the [[U.S. Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) follows in its rulemaking processes.<ref name="3675cbo">{{Cite web |title=H.R. 3675 - CBO |date=January 29, 2014 |url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212828/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057 |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2014 |website=Congressional Budget Office}}</ref> The FCC would have to act in a more transparent way as a result of this bill, forced to accept public input about regulations.<ref name="PeteVotesTransparency">{{Cite news |last=Kasperowicz |first=Pete |date=March 11, 2014 |title=House votes for more transparency at the FCC |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312074500/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc |archive-date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> AT&T's Executive Vice President of Federal Relations, Tim McKone, said that the bill's "much needed institutional reforms will help arm the agency with the tools to keep pace with the Internet speed of today's marketplace. It will also ensure that outmoded regulatory practices for today's competitive marketplace are properly placed in the dustbin of history."<ref name="ATTblog">{{Cite web |last=McKone |first=Tim |date=December 11, 2013 |title=AT&T Statement on Bipartisan Spectrum and FCC Reform Legislation |url=http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225128/http://www.attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/att-statement-on-bipartisan-spectrum-and-fcc-reform-legislation/ |archive-date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |website=AT&T Public Policy Blog}}</ref> | ||
In May 2018, reports emerged that AT&T made 12 monthly payments between January and December 2017 to Essential Consultants, a company set up by President [[Donald Trump]]'s lawyer [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]], totaling $600,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bartz |first=Diane |date=May 9, 2018 |title=AT&T payments to Trump lawyer more than reported |work= | In May 2018, reports emerged that AT&T made 12 monthly payments between January and December 2017 to Essential Consultants, a company set up by President [[Donald Trump]]'s lawyer [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]], totaling $600,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bartz |first=Diane |date=May 9, 2018 |title=AT&T payments to Trump lawyer more than reported |work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-daniels-at-t/att-payments-to-trump-lawyer-more-than-reported-source-idUSKBN1IA2KK |url-status=live |access-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509222116/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-daniels-at-t/att-payments-to-trump-lawyer-more-than-reported-source-idUSKBN1IA2KK |archive-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> Although initial reports on May 8 mentioned only four monthly payments totaling $200,000,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |last2=Breuninger |first2=Kevin |last3=Ruggiero |first3=Ryan |date=May 8, 2018 |title=AT&T confirms it paid Trump lawyer Michael Cohen for 'insights' on administration |work=[[CNBC]]|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/08/att-confirms-it-paid-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-for-insights-on-administration.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510005726/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/08/att-confirms-it-paid-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-for-insights-on-administration.html |archive-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> documents obtained by the ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' on May 10 confirmed the figure of 12 payments, which had begun three days after the President was [[First inauguration of Donald Trump|sworn into office]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Helderman |first1=Rosalind S. |last2=Fung |first2=Brian |last3=Hamburger |first3=Tom |date=May 10, 2018 |title=Cohen's $600,000 deal with AT&T specified he would advise on Time Warner merger, internal company records show |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cohens-600000-deal-with-atandt-specified-he-would-advise-on-time-warner-merger-internal-company-records-show/2018/05/10/cd541ae0-5468-11e8-a551-5b648abe29ef_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511000608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cohens-600000-deal-with-atandt-specified-he-would-advise-on-time-warner-merger-internal-company-records-show/2018/05/10/cd541ae0-5468-11e8-a551-5b648abe29ef_story.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Christine |date=May 10, 2018 |title=AT&T reportedly paid Michael Cohen for guidance on Time Warner deal |work=[[CNBC]]|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/10/att-reportedly-paid-michael-cohen-for-guidance-on-time-warner-deal.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511012806/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/10/att-reportedly-paid-michael-cohen-for-guidance-on-time-warner-deal.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref> AT&T confirmed the report the same day.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Gold |first=Hadas |date=May 10, 2018 |title=AT&T confirms it paid Michael Cohen for consulting on Time Warner deal |work=CNNMoney |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/05/10/media/att-michael-cohen/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511063705/https://money.cnn.com/2018/05/10/media/att-michael-cohen/index.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref> The report from ''The Washington Post'', as well as additional reporting from [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]], revealed the payments had been made for Cohen to "provide guidance" relating to the attempted $85 billion merger with [[Time Warner]],<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> to gain information on the Trump administration's planned tax reforms, as well as about potential changes to [[Net neutrality in the United States|net neutrality]] policies under the new FCC.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Nick |last2=Moritz |first2=Scott |date=May 9, 2018 |title=AT&T Was Paying Trump's Lawyer While White House Turned Into Foe |work=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-09/at-t-was-paying-trump-s-lawyer-as-administration-turned-into-foe |url-status=live |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522181322/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-09/at-t-was-paying-trump-s-lawyer-as-administration-turned-into-foe |archive-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref> Chairman of the FCC [[Ajit Pai]] denied Cohen ever inquired about net neutrality on AT&T's behalf.<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shields |first=Todd |date=May 10, 2018 |title='No' Cohen Inquiries on Net Neutrality on AT&T's Behalf, FCC Chairman Says |work=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-10/-no-cohen-inquiries-to-fcc-on-net-neutrality-on-at-t-s-behalf |url-status=live |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522181328/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-10/-no-cohen-inquiries-to-fcc-on-net-neutrality-on-at-t-s-behalf |archive-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref> A spokesperson for AT&T said that the company had been contacted by [[Special Counsel investigation (2017–present)|the Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller]] regarding the payments, and had provided all the information requested in November and December 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Katie |last2=Kang |first2=Cecilia |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Novartis and AT&T Spoke to Mueller's Office About Payments to Michael Cohen |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/business/novartis-att-cohen-mueller.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220529/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/business/novartis-att-cohen-mueller.html |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |last2=Ruggiero |first2=Ryan |date=May 9, 2018 |title=AT&T says it was contacted by special counsel's office about Michael Cohen |work=[[CNBC]]|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/att-paid-trump-lawyer-cohen-up-to-6000000.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509231719/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/att-paid-trump-lawyer-cohen-up-to-6000000.html |archive-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> | ||
In early 2019, the Democratic [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary]] requested records related to the AT&T-Time Warner merger from the [[White House]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristiano Lima |date=April 16, 2019 |title=White House denies House Democrats' AT&T-Time Warner records request |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/16/time-warner-merger-justice-department-1278013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416211241/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/16/time-warner-merger-justice-department-1278013 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2019 |website=Politico }}</ref> | In early 2019, the Democratic [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary]] requested records related to the AT&T-Time Warner merger from the [[White House]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristiano Lima |date=April 16, 2019 |title=White House denies House Democrats' AT&T-Time Warner records request |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/16/time-warner-merger-justice-department-1278013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416211241/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/16/time-warner-merger-justice-department-1278013 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2019 |website=Politico }}</ref> | ||
While it has expressed support for [[LGBTQ]] causes, AT&T has also donated to sponsors of anti-transgender legislation in several US states, especially those predominantly [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]-governed, including Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas and Florida.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Christian|last1=Spencer|access-date=2021-09-21|title=CVS, AT&T, Comcast and others donated to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians, new study finds|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/558610-cvs-att-comcast-and-others-donated-to-anti-lgbtq/|date=15 June 2021|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921050214/https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/558610-cvs-att-comcast-and-others-donated-to-anti-lgbtq|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2021-09-21|title=25 corporations marking Pride donated over $10m to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians – study|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/14/corporations-anti-lgbtq-politicians-donations-study|date=14 June 2021|website= | While it has expressed support for [[LGBTQ]] causes, AT&T has also donated to sponsors of anti-transgender legislation in several US states, especially those predominantly [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]-governed, including Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas and Florida.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Christian|last1=Spencer|access-date=2021-09-21|title=CVS, AT&T, Comcast and others donated to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians, new study finds|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/558610-cvs-att-comcast-and-others-donated-to-anti-lgbtq/|date=15 June 2021|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921050214/https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/558610-cvs-att-comcast-and-others-donated-to-anti-lgbtq|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2021-09-21|title=25 corporations marking Pride donated over $10m to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians – study|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/14/corporations-anti-lgbtq-politicians-donations-study|date=14 June 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921050215/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/14/corporations-anti-lgbtq-politicians-donations-study|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2021-09-21|title=Corporate America has embraced Pride but made some crucial missteps|url=https://fortune.com/2021/06/30/corporate-america-pride-mistakes-lgbtq-political-donations-companies-anti-trans-laws-allyship/|website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921050214/https://fortune.com/2021/06/30/corporate-america-pride-mistakes-lgbtq-political-donations-companies-anti-trans-laws-allyship/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== Historical financial performance == | == Historical financial performance == | ||
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=== Hemisphere database === | === Hemisphere database === | ||
{{main|Hemisphere Project}} | {{main|Hemisphere Project}} | ||
The company maintains a database of [[call detail record]]s of all telephone calls that have passed through its network since 1987. AT&T employees work at [[High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area]] offices (operated by the [[Office of National Drug Control Policy]]) in Los Angeles, [[Atlanta]], and | The company maintains a database of [[call detail record]]s of all telephone calls that have passed through its network since 1987. AT&T employees work at [[High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area]] offices (operated by the [[Office of National Drug Control Policy]]) in Los Angeles, [[Atlanta]], and Houston so data can be quickly turned over to law enforcement agencies. Records are requested via an administrative subpoena, without the involvement of a court or grand jury. | ||
=== Censorship === | === Censorship === | ||
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In July 2006, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California – in which the suit was filed – rejected a federal government motion to dismiss the case. The motion to dismiss, which invoked the State Secrets Privilege, had argued that any court review of the alleged partnership between the federal government and AT&T would harm national security. The case was immediately appealed to the Ninth Circuit. It was dismissed on June 3, 2009, citing retroactive legislation in the [[FISA Amendments Act|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |title= Hepting v. AT&T |date= July 2011 |website= [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] |access-date= March 23, 2021 |quote= In June of 2009, a federal judge dismissed Hepting and dozens of other lawsuits against telecoms. EFF appealed that decision but it was affirmed, and in October, 2012, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. |archive-date= January 22, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180122170130/https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Arshad|last=Mohammed|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html|title=Judge Declines to Dismiss Lawsuit Against AT&T|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214074204/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html |archive-date=December 14, 2017|date=July 21, 2006|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> | In July 2006, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California – in which the suit was filed – rejected a federal government motion to dismiss the case. The motion to dismiss, which invoked the State Secrets Privilege, had argued that any court review of the alleged partnership between the federal government and AT&T would harm national security. The case was immediately appealed to the Ninth Circuit. It was dismissed on June 3, 2009, citing retroactive legislation in the [[FISA Amendments Act|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |title= Hepting v. AT&T |date= July 2011 |website= [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] |access-date= March 23, 2021 |quote= In June of 2009, a federal judge dismissed Hepting and dozens of other lawsuits against telecoms. EFF appealed that decision but it was affirmed, and in October, 2012, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. |archive-date= January 22, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180122170130/https://www.eff.org/cases/hepting |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Arshad|last=Mohammed|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html|title=Judge Declines to Dismiss Lawsuit Against AT&T|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214074204/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001792.html |archive-date=December 14, 2017|date=July 21, 2006|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> | ||
In May 2006, '' | In May 2006, ''USA Today'' reported that all international and domestic calling records had been handed over to the National Security Agency by AT&T, Verizon, SBC, and BellSouth for the purpose of creating a massive [[NSA call database|calling database]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cauley |first=Leslie |date=May 11, 2006 |title=NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223235913/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> The portions of the ''new'' AT&T that had been part of SBC Communications before November 18, 2005, were not mentioned. | ||
On June 21, 2006, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported that AT&T had rewritten rules on its privacy policy. The policy, which took effect June 23, 2006, says that "AT&T – not customers – owns customers' confidential info and can use it 'to protect its legitimate business interests, safeguard others, or respond to legal process.'"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lazarus |first=David |date=June 21, 2006 |title=AT&T Rewrites Rules: Your Data Isn't Yours |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/21/BUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112225858/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F06%2F21%2FBUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |archive-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref> | On June 21, 2006, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported that AT&T had rewritten rules on its privacy policy. The policy, which took effect June 23, 2006, says that "AT&T – not customers – owns customers' confidential info and can use it 'to protect its legitimate business interests, safeguard others, or respond to legal process.'"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lazarus |first=David |date=June 21, 2006 |title=AT&T Rewrites Rules: Your Data Isn't Yours |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/21/BUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112225858/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F06%2F21%2FBUG9VJHB9C1.DTL&hw=at&sn=002&sc=870 |archive-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref> | ||
On August 22, 2007, National Intelligence Director [[John Michael McConnell|Mike McConnell]] confirmed that AT&T was one of the telecommunications companies that assisted with the government's warrantless wire-tapping program on calls between foreign and domestic sources.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shrader |first=Katherine |date=August 22, 2007 |title=Spy Chief Reveals Classified Surveillance Details |agency= | On August 22, 2007, National Intelligence Director [[John Michael McConnell|Mike McConnell]] confirmed that AT&T was one of the telecommunications companies that assisted with the government's warrantless wire-tapping program on calls between foreign and domestic sources.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shrader |first=Katherine |date=August 22, 2007 |title=Spy Chief Reveals Classified Surveillance Details |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20396282 |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110221437/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20396282/ |archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> | ||
On November 8, 2007, Mark Klein, a former AT&T technician, told [[Keith Olbermann]] of [[MSNBC]] that all Internet traffic passing over AT&T lines was copied into [[Room 641A|a locked room]] at the company's San Francisco office – to which only employees with National Security Agency clearance had access.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olbermann |first=Keith |date=November 8, 2007 |title=Whistleblower Saw AT&T Assist Bush Administration |url=http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=297abdd5-d0dc-4617-a6c9-c482fa316b59 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110231322/http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=297abdd5-d0dc-4617-a6c9-c482fa316b59 |archive-date=November 10, 2007 |access-date=November 10, 2007 |work=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> | On November 8, 2007, Mark Klein, a former AT&T technician, told [[Keith Olbermann]] of [[MSNBC]] that all Internet traffic passing over AT&T lines was copied into [[Room 641A|a locked room]] at the company's San Francisco office – to which only employees with National Security Agency clearance had access.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olbermann |first=Keith |date=November 8, 2007 |title=Whistleblower Saw AT&T Assist Bush Administration |url=http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=297abdd5-d0dc-4617-a6c9-c482fa316b59 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110231322/http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=297abdd5-d0dc-4617-a6c9-c482fa316b59 |archive-date=November 10, 2007 |access-date=November 10, 2007 |work=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> | ||
| Line 344: | Line 344: | ||
=== Aaron Slator controversy === | === Aaron Slator controversy === | ||
On April 28, 2015, AT&T announced that it had fired Aaron Slator, President of Content and Advertising Sales, for sending text messages critics described as racist.<ref>{{Cite news |title=AT&T Fires President Over Racist Text; $100M Lawsuit Goes On |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |agency= | On April 28, 2015, AT&T announced that it had fired Aaron Slator, President of Content and Advertising Sales, for sending text messages critics described as racist.<ref>{{Cite news |title=AT&T Fires President Over Racist Text; $100M Lawsuit Goes On |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/att-fires-president-racist-text-100m-lawsuit-30658834 |access-date=April 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429063307/https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/att-fires-president-racist-text-100m-lawsuit-30658834 |archive-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref> African-American employee Knoyme King filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Slator.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Aaron Slator, AT&T president, fired over racist text messages |work=The Washington Times |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/28/aaron-slator-t-president-fired-over-racist-text-me/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501202930/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/28/aaron-slator-t-president-fired-over-racist-text-me/ |archive-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref> The day before that, protesters arrived at AT&T's headquarters in Dallas and its satellite offices in Los Angeles as well as at the home of CEO Randall Stephenson to protest alleged systemic racial policies. According to accounts, the protesters demanded that AT&T begin working with 100% black-owned media companies.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Protesters Picket AT&T CEO's Dallas Estate |work=CNN iReport |url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1237563 |url-status=live |access-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502002645/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1237563 |archive-date=May 2, 2015}}</ref> | ||
On January 24, 2017, Slator sued AT&T in the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court|Los Angeles Superior Court]], accusing the company of [[defamation]] and wrongful termination. Slator had been involved in organizing AT&T's planned $48.5 billion acquisition of DirecTV since 2014, and he claimed that when news headlines speculated that his text messages could prevent the acquisition from going through, he was fired as a "scapegoat" by company executives. He also claimed that the executives had known about the text messages since at least late 2013, and had promised him at the time that he would not be fired for them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garrett |first=Arnessa |date=January 25, 2017 |title=AT&T sued by exec who was fired over racist text |work=The Dallas Morning News |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726102837/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=January 24, 2017 |title=Former AT&T Content President Files Wrongful Termination Suit, Claims He Was Fired To Save DirecTV Merger |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/lawsuit-attt-directv-aaron-slator-sues-for-wrongful-termination-1201892998/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726102611/https://deadline.com/2017/01/lawsuit-attt-directv-aaron-slator-sues-for-wrongful-termination-1201892998/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company stood by its decision to terminate Slator.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |title= AT&T sued by exec who was fired over racist text |newspaper= [[The Dallas Morning News]] |date= January 24, 2017 |access-date= March 23, 2021 |quote= "Diversity and inclusion are important core values to us," the statement said. "We stand behind our decision to terminate Mr. Slator and are confident that his baseless allegations will ultimately be rejected." |archive-date= March 8, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210308145808/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |url-status= live }}</ref> | On January 24, 2017, Slator sued AT&T in the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court|Los Angeles Superior Court]], accusing the company of [[defamation]] and wrongful termination. Slator had been involved in organizing AT&T's planned $48.5 billion acquisition of DirecTV since 2014, and he claimed that when news headlines speculated that his text messages could prevent the acquisition from going through, he was fired as a "scapegoat" by company executives. He also claimed that the executives had known about the text messages since at least late 2013, and had promised him at the time that he would not be fired for them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garrett |first=Arnessa |date=January 25, 2017 |title=AT&T sued by exec who was fired over racist text |work=The Dallas Morning News |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726102837/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=January 24, 2017 |title=Former AT&T Content President Files Wrongful Termination Suit, Claims He Was Fired To Save DirecTV Merger |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/lawsuit-attt-directv-aaron-slator-sues-for-wrongful-termination-1201892998/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726102611/https://deadline.com/2017/01/lawsuit-attt-directv-aaron-slator-sues-for-wrongful-termination-1201892998/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company stood by its decision to terminate Slator.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |title= AT&T sued by exec who was fired over racist text |newspaper= [[The Dallas Morning News]] |date= January 24, 2017 |access-date= March 23, 2021 |quote= "Diversity and inclusion are important core values to us," the statement said. "We stand behind our decision to terminate Mr. Slator and are confident that his baseless allegations will ultimately be rejected." |archive-date= March 8, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210308145808/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2017/01/25/att-sued-by-exec-who-was-fired-over-racist-text/ |url-status= live }}</ref> | ||
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=== One America News Network === | === One America News Network === | ||
An investigative report by | An investigative report by Reuters in 2021 revealed that AT&T played a key role in creating, funding and sustaining [[One America News Network]] (OAN), a [[far-right]] TV network known for promoting [[conspiracy theories]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Special Report: How AT&T helped build far-right One America News|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-oneamerica-att/|access-date=2021-10-06|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006235411/https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-oneamerica-att/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to 2020 sworn testimony by an OAN accountant, 90% of OAN's revenue came from AT&T. According to OAN founder [[Robert Herring (businessman)|Robert Herring Sr.]], AT&T wanted to create a conservative network to compete with [[Fox News]]. Court documents showed OAN promised to "cast a positive light" on AT&T during newscasts. AT&T denied the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Darcy|first=Oliver|date=October 7, 2021|title=AT&T played key role in founding of far-right conspiracy outlet OAN, channel's president said in court|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/media/att-oan/index.html|access-date=2021-10-22|website=CNN|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007103959/https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/media/att-oan/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 7, 2021 |first=Samira |last=Sadeque |title=AT&T funds rightwing channel One America News, Reuters reveals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/oct/07/att-source-revenue-one-america-news |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708012355/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/oct/07/att-source-revenue-one-america-news |url-status=live }}</ref> Comedian [[John Oliver]] criticized AT&T in his weekly show for funding OAN.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stern|first=Marlow|date=2021-10-11|title=John Oliver Torches His AT&T Bosses Over OAN Reveal: 'You Make the World Worse'|language=en|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/john-oliver-torches-his-atandt-bosses-over-oan-reveal-you-make-the-world-worse|access-date=2021-10-18|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011124418/https://www.thedailybeast.com/john-oliver-torches-his-atandt-bosses-over-oan-reveal-you-make-the-world-worse|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
=== Leaking data to Wall Street === | === Leaking data to Wall Street === | ||
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In March 2021 the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) filed suit against AT&T and three of its executives for violating the [[Regulation Fair Disclosure|Fair Disclosure Rule]] against making selective disclosures of "material nonpublic information" to analysts and others. The SEC alleged that beginning in early 2016 these executives leaked key information to [[Wall Street]] analysts in order to manipulate revenue forecasts for the company.<ref name="Shapero-2022">{{Cite news|last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=3 December 2022 |title=AT&T to pay $6.25M to SEC over alleged leaks to Wall Street analysts |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/3760729-att-to-pay-6-25m-to-sec-over-alleged-leaks-to-wall-street-analysts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204161710/https://thehill.com/policy/finance/3760729-att-to-pay-6-25m-to-sec-over-alleged-leaks-to-wall-street-analysts/ |archive-date=4 December 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> | In March 2021 the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) filed suit against AT&T and three of its executives for violating the [[Regulation Fair Disclosure|Fair Disclosure Rule]] against making selective disclosures of "material nonpublic information" to analysts and others. The SEC alleged that beginning in early 2016 these executives leaked key information to [[Wall Street]] analysts in order to manipulate revenue forecasts for the company.<ref name="Shapero-2022">{{Cite news|last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=3 December 2022 |title=AT&T to pay $6.25M to SEC over alleged leaks to Wall Street analysts |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/3760729-att-to-pay-6-25m-to-sec-over-alleged-leaks-to-wall-street-analysts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204161710/https://thehill.com/policy/finance/3760729-att-to-pay-6-25m-to-sec-over-alleged-leaks-to-wall-street-analysts/ |archive-date=4 December 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
In December 2022, without acknowledging any guilt, AT&T agreed to pay $6.25 million in fines to settle the lawsuit. The individual executives were also on the hook for $25,000 each.<ref name="Shapero-2022" /><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Khushi |first1=Akanksha |last2=Bhowmik |first2=Sneha |date=3 December 2022 |title=AT&T to pay $6 million to SEC to settle lawsuit over leaks to analysts |work= | In December 2022, without acknowledging any guilt, AT&T agreed to pay $6.25 million in fines to settle the lawsuit. The individual executives were also on the hook for $25,000 each.<ref name="Shapero-2022" /><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Khushi |first1=Akanksha |last2=Bhowmik |first2=Sneha |date=3 December 2022 |title=AT&T to pay $6 million to SEC to settle lawsuit over leaks to analysts |work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/att-pay-6-million-sec-settle-lawsuit-over-leaks-analysts-court-filing-2022-12-03/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205080633/https://www.reuters.com/legal/att-pay-6-million-sec-settle-lawsuit-over-leaks-analysts-court-filing-2022-12-03/ |archive-date=5 December 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
=== Bribery to influence legislation === | === Bribery to influence legislation === | ||
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=== Venues === | === Venues === | ||
* [[AT&T Field]] – [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]] (formerly ''BellSouth Park'') | * [[AT&T Field]] – [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]] (formerly ''BellSouth Park'') | ||
* [[AT&T Plaza (Chicago)|AT&T Plaza]] – | * [[AT&T Plaza (Chicago)|AT&T Plaza]] – Chicago, Illinois (public space that hosts the Cloud Gate sculpture in [[Millennium Park]]) | ||
* [[AT&T Performing Arts Center]] – Dallas, Texas | * [[AT&T Performing Arts Center]] – Dallas, Texas | ||
* [[AT&T Stadium]] – [[Arlington, Texas]] (formerly ''Cowboys Stadium'') | * [[AT&T Stadium]] – [[Arlington, Texas]] (formerly ''Cowboys Stadium'') | ||