# AT&T

> American multinational conglomerate

**Wikidata**: [Q35476](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35476)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT&T)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/at-t

## Summary

AT&T is a corporation[1] founded by Alexander Graham Bell and led by CEO John Stankey. The company operates in the telecommunications, mass media, and postal and telecommunications services industries[2].Its product portfolio includes satellite television, landline telephone, mobile phone, broadband, digital television, and software[3]. As of 2016, AT&T employed 273,000 people[4].

## Summary
AT&T is an American multinational conglomerate founded in 1885, operating in telecommunications, media, and technology. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, it is one of the largest providers of telecommunications and digital media services, with a history of innovation in telephony, internet, and entertainment. As of recent data, it employs over 200,000 people globally and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: October 5, 1983 (as AT&T Inc.); original AT&T Corporation founded March 3, 1885.
- **Headquarters**: Dallas, Texas, with operations in San Antonio and other U.S. locations.
- **Revenue**: $120.7 billion (2023), with historical figures ranging from $118.9 billion to $181.2 billion.
- **Employees**: 273,000 (peak), 202,600 (recent data).
- **Stock Exchanges**: Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Tokyo Stock Exchange.
- **Subsidiaries**: Cricket Wireless, BellSouth, DirecTV, WarnerMedia (former), and AT&T Mobility.
- **Key Services**: Telecommunications, satellite television (DirecTV), broadband internet, mobile phone services, and software development.
- **Inventions**: Contributed to the development of Unix, Signalling System No. 7, and the North American Numbering Plan.
- **Ownership**: Majority-owned by institutional investors like The Vanguard Group and BlackRock.
- **Net Profit**: $11.9 billion (2023), with fluctuations between -$8.5 billion and $29.4 billion historically.
- **Total Assets**: $403.8 billion (2023), up from $125.4 billion in earlier years.

## FAQs
- **What industries does AT&T operate in?**  
  AT&T operates in telecommunications, media, entertainment, and technology, offering services like mobile phone plans, broadband internet, and satellite TV.

- **What are AT&T's key subsidiaries?**  
  Major subsidiaries include Cricket Wireless, BellSouth, and DirecTV. It previously owned WarnerMedia, which was spun off in 2021.

- **Where is AT&T headquartered?**  
  AT&T is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with significant operations in San Antonio and other U.S. cities.

- **Is AT&T publicly traded?**  
  Yes, AT&T is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Tokyo Stock Exchange.

- **What notable technologies did AT&T develop?**  
  AT&T contributed to Unix, the North American Numbering Plan, and Signalling System No. 7, foundational to modern telecommunications.

## Why It Matters
AT&T is a cornerstone of global telecommunications, shaping industries from telephony to digital media. Its innovations, such as the first transatlantic telephone cable (TAT-1) and Unix operating system, laid the groundwork for modern communication technologies. As a conglomerate, it influences media distribution (e.g., DirecTV, HBO via WarnerMedia), broadband infrastructure, and mobile connectivity, impacting how people access information and entertainment worldwide. Its mergers and acquisitions, such as the $85 billion Time Warner deal (later reversed), reflect its strategic role in media consolidation.

## Notable For
- **Oldest Telecommunications Company**: Traces its roots to the 1885 founding of the original AT&T Corporation.
- **Iconic Infrastructure**: Owns landmarks like AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) and the windowless 33 Thomas Street building in NYC.
- **Innovation Legacy**: Developed Unix, C++, and the first commercial communications satellite (Telstar).
- **Media Influence**: Former owner of WarnerMedia, controlling HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. Studios.
- **Global Reach**: Operates in 20+ countries through subsidiaries like ICR AT&T México.

## Body

### History & Structure
AT&T originated from the 1885 incorporation of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, founded by Alexander Graham Bell. The modern AT&T Inc. was restructured in 2005 after the original company’s breakup. Key milestones include the 1956 TAT-1 transatlantic cable, the 1984 divestiture of regional Bell Operating Companies, and the 2016 acquisition of Time Warner (divested in 2021).

### Subsidiaries & Divisions
- **Cricket Wireless**: Budget mobile service provider (founded 1999).
- **Bell Labs**: Renowned research arm (established 1925) behind Unix, the transistor, and information theory.
- **DirecTV**: Satellite TV service (launched 1994, acquired by AT&T in 2015, sold in 2021).
- **AT&T Mobility**: Mobile network operator (formed 2001) serving over 75 million customers.

### Financial Performance
- **Revenue Growth**: Peaked at $181.2 billion in 2018, driven by media acquisitions.
- **Net Income**: Fluctuated due to restructuring; reported $11.9 billion in 2023.
- **Market Capitalization**: A component of the S&P 500 and S&P 100 indices.

### Key People
- **Randall L. Stephenson**: CEO from 2007 to 2020, oversaw Time Warner acquisition.
- **Alexander Graham Bell**: Inventor of the telephone and foundational figure in AT&T’s early history.
- **Bjarne Stroustrup**: Developed C++ at Bell Labs (1983), revolutionizing software engineering.

### Infrastructure & Technology
- **Network**: Operates the largest 5G network in the U.S. (as of 2023).
- **Patents**: Holds over 11,000 active patents, including innovations in fiber optics and machine learning.
- **Data Centers**: Maintains facilities like the AT&T Madison Complex Tandem Office in Los Angeles.

### Cultural Impact
- **Media Ownership**: Influenced entertainment through HBO, Warner Bros., and Turner Broadcasting (via WarnerMedia).
- **Sponsorships**: Namesake of AT&T Stadium (2009) and sponsor of the Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).
- **Controversies**: Faced criticism for data throttling and NSA surveillance ties revealed in 2013.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/att-inc?rid=92442218459-37)
2. [proxy statement](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000119312525073402/d900144ddef14a.htm)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. National Diet Library
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239723/ishares-sp-100-etf)
7. Polygon.io
8. 20th Century Press Archives
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/02/us/drug-agents-use-vast-phone-trove-eclipsing-nsas.html)
11. National Software Reference Library
12. [Source](https://www.att.com/Common/about_us/pdf/att_btn.pdf)
13. [AT&T Annual Report 2020 10-K](https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=14746187&Cik=0000732717&Type=PDF)
14. [AT&T Financial and Operational Schedules& Non-GAAP Reconciliations 2021](https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2021/q421/4Q21_Financial_and_Operational_Schedules_and_Non_GAAP_Reconciliations.pdf)
15. [Source](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/732717/000073271709000050/ex3.htm)
16. [Source](https://projects.propublica.org/fortune-500-company-election-deniers-jan-6/?company=att)
17. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
18. [Source](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/732717/000073271717000021/ex13.htm)
19. [Form 10-K. 2010](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271710000013/ye09_10k.htm)
20. [Form 10-K. 2011](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271711000014/ye10_10k.htm)
21. [Form 10-K. 2012](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271712000025/ye11_10k.htm)
22. [Form 10-K. 2013](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271713000017/ye12_10k.htm)
23. [Form 10-K. 2014](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271714000010/ye13_10k.htm)
24. [Form 10-K. 2015](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271715000016/ye14_10k.htm)
25. [Form 10-K. 2016](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271716000147/ye15_10k.htm)
26. [Form 10-K. 2017](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271717000021/ye16_10k.htm)
27. [Form 10-K. 2018](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271718000076/recast_8k.htm)
28. [Form 10-K. 2019](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000119312519045608/d705958d10k.htm)
29. [Form 10-K. 2020](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000156276220000064/t-20191231.htm)
30. [Form 10-K. 2021](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000162828021012583/t-20210621.htm)
31. [Source](https://www.investing.com/equities/at-t-financial-summary)
32. [Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/732717/000073271721000012/t-20201231.htm)
33. [Form 10-K. 2023](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271723000011/t-20221231.htm)
34. [Form 10-K. 2024](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271724000009/t-20231231.htm)
35. [Form 10-K. 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271725000013/t-20241231.htm)
36. [AT&T (T) Stock Key Data](https://www.forbes.com/companies/att)
37. [Forbes AT&T (T) Stock Key Data](https://www.forbes.com/companies/att)
38. [Form 10-K. 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000732717/000073271722000015/t-20211231.htm)
39. [AT&T Financial and Operational Schedules & Non-GAAP Reconciliations 2021](https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2021/q421/4Q21_Financial_and_Operational_Schedules_and_Non_GAAP_Reconciliations.pdf)
40. GRID Release 2017-04-04
41. EU Transparency Register
42. [Form 8-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/732717/000073271714000126/form8k.htm)
43. [press release](https://about.att.com/story/piazza_joins_att_board_of_directors.html)
44. [press release](https://web.archive.org/web/20221002213924/https://about.att.com/story/2022/warner-bros-discovery-board-appointees.html)
45. [Source](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-names-former-alltel-ceo-170006738.html)
46. [press release](https://about.att.com/story/glenn_hutchins_joins_att_board_of_directors.html)
47. [press release](https://about.att.com/story/2019/debra_l_lee_joins_att_board_of_directors.html)
48. [press release](https://about.att.com/story/2019/luczo_att_board_of_directors.html)
49. [Source](https://investors.att.com/corporate-governance/board-of-directors)
50. [press release](https://about.att.com/newsroom/who-is-beth-mooney-.html)