AT&T
| File:AT&T 2023 logo.svg Logo used since 2016 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Predecessor | American Telephone and Telegraph Company, SBC Corporation |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | John Stankey (CEO) |
| Products | Telecommunications services, mobile and fixed telephone services, pay-TV, internet services |
| Website | www |
AT&T Inc., deriving its name from its forerunner, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, is a multinational telecommunications holding enterprise based at Whitacre Tower in Dallas, Texas. It stands as the third largest telecommunications firm globally by revenue and ranks third among U.S. wireless providers, following T-Mobile and Verizon. In 2023, AT&T secured the 32nd position on the Fortune 500 list, reporting revenues of $122.4 billion.
The company’s lineage dates back to the original AT&T established in 1885. It was formed through the merger of SBC Corporation—an original Baby Bell—and AT&T Corporation (commonly known as Ma Bell). SBC began as the American District Telegraph Company in 1878 and expanded through acquisitions to become Southwestern Bell Telephone Company by 1920. Southwestern Bell operated as a subsidiary under the original AT&T Corporation, which itself was founded in 1885 as a branch of the Bell Telephone Company created by Alexander Graham Bell in 1877. In 1899, AT&T became the parent entity after purchasing the assets of American Bell Telephone Company.
For much of the twentieth century, AT&T maintained an almost complete monopoly over U.S. telephone service through its Bell System local operating companies, earning it the nickname Ma Bell. The company was renamed AT&T Corporation in 1994.
The 1982 Modification of Final Judgment dismantled AT&T’s monopoly by requiring it to divest its local operating companies into seven Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), commonly referred to as "Baby Bells," including Southwestern Bell Corporation (SBC). SBC rebranded as SBC Communications Inc. in 1995 and subsequently acquired fellow Baby Bells Pacific Telesis in 1997 and Ameritech in 1999.
In 2005, SBC purchased its former parent company AT&T Corp., adopting its name, corporate history, stock ticker, and logo to establish AT&T Inc. The merger finalized on December 30, 2005. The following year, AT&T expanded further by acquiring BellSouth Corporation, thereby consolidating control over Cingular Wireless (which had previously acquired AT&T Wireless in 2004) and rebranding it as AT&T Mobility.
AT&T ventured into the media sector with its acquisition of Time Warner in 2016 for $85 billion, renaming it WarnerMedia in 2018. However, it divested WarnerMedia in 2022 by merging it with Discovery, Inc., resulting in the formation of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The present-day AT&T effectively reunites much of the original Bell System, incorporating four of the initial seven Baby Bells along with the original American Telephone and Telegraph Company and its long-distance division.
Origins and expansion (1877–1981)
Following Alexander Graham Bell's telephone patent in 1875, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Watson, and Gardiner Greene Hubbard founded the Bell Telephone Company. By 1881, this entity evolved into the American Bell Telephone Company. Its subsidiary, American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), was created in 1885 with the purpose of developing and managing a long-distance telephone network. On December 30, 1899, AT&T acquired its parent company American Bell Telephone Company and assumed its position as the new parent corporation.
AT&T established a network comprising local telephone subsidiaries throughout the United States and maintained a monopoly on telephone service sanctioned by the Kingsbury Commitment of 1913. This monopoly—known as the Bell System—dominated much of the telecommunications industry during most of the twentieth century. Throughout this era, AT&T was frequently called Ma Bell.
Dissolution and Reestablishment (1982–2004)
In 1982, U.S. regulatory authorities enforced the dismantling of AT&T's monopoly, compelling the separation of its local service units into seven distinct Regional Bell Operating Companies, commonly referred to as Baby Bells. Southwestern Bell Corporation, which later became SBC Communications Inc., emerged as one of these entities from the restructuring.
Following the divestiture, AT&T retained its long-distance service operations but encountered intensifying competition from companies like MCI and Sprint. To broaden its market reach, AT&T engaged in strategic acquisitions, including the 1987 purchase of Metromedia's mobile division and several cable firms during the early 1990s. Toward the end of the decade, AT&T acquired two Baby Bells—Pacific Telesis Group and Ameritech Corporation—while simultaneously divesting its cable holdings.
C. Michael Armstrong took over as CEO in 1997, with John Zeglis appointed president that same year. By 1998, AT&T had secured a position among the Fortune 500's top 15 companies and was added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1999, underscoring its substantial market influence. Zeglis moved to serve as chairman and CEO of AT&T Wireless in 1999, stepping down from leadership roles at AT&T by 2001 and leaving AT&T Wireless in 2004.
Acquisition of Former Parent Company and Subsequent Purchases (2005–2013)
On November 18, 2005, SBC Communications completed its acquisition of its former parent, AT&T Corporation, for $16 billion. Following this transaction, SBC adopted the AT&T name and branding while the original AT&T Corporation continued operating as the long-distance landline subsidiary. The present-day AT&T Inc. traces its origins back to the original AT&T Corporation founded in 1877 but maintains SBC’s pre-2005 corporate framework and stock lineage. Securities filings prior to 2005 remain under SBC's records.
In 2011, AT&T sought to acquire T-Mobile USA through a $39 billion stock-and-cash proposal; however, regulatory obstacles and government opposition led to the withdrawal of this bid. As part of the agreement, T-Mobile received $3 billion in cash along with access to wireless spectrum valued at $1 billion held by AT&T.
September 2013 marked AT&T’s expansion into Latin America via a collaboration with América Móvil. Later that year, it announced plans to divest its Connecticut wireline business to Frontier Communications for $2 billion.
On December 29, 2006, after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), AT&T finalized its $85.8 billion acquisition of BellSouth Corporation. This consolidation brought Cingular Wireless entirely under AT&T’s control, encompassing ownership of 66.1 million telephone lines, 58.7 million wireless subscribers, and 11.6 million high-speed Internet customers. Subsequently, in January 2007, AT&T rebranded Cingular’s retail outlets under the AT&T name to unify its brand presence and streamline operations.
Recent Progressions (2013–Present)
Toward the end of 2014, AT&T augmented its international footprint by acquiring Mexican wireless carriers Iusacell and NII Holdings’ wireless operations, merging them into what became AT&T Mexico to bolster its Latin American market share.
In July 2015, AT&T completed a $48.5 billion deal acquiring DirecTV and integrated it with U-verse services to form AT&T Entertainment, thereby enhancing offerings in home internet and IPTV services.
On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced a $108.7 billion agreement to purchase Time Warner with the objective of strengthening its media assets and competitive position. Despite facing an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice in 2017, the merger received approval in June 2018; Time Warner became a wholly owned subsidiary renamed WarnerMedia.
Following this acquisition, AT&T restructured into four primary divisions: Communications (encompassing AT&T Mobility and consumer video services), WarnerMedia (including Turner networks, Warner Bros., HBO), AT&T Latin America (wireless and video operations managed through Vrio Corp.), and Advertising and Analytics (Xandr).
In 2017, plans were unveiled for a cloud-based DVR streaming platform aimed at consolidating DirecTV and DirecTV Now services; this initiative evolved into HBO Max, which launched in May 2020.
That same year, AT&T explored over-the-top (OTT) television services resembling traditional cable offerings. In 2018, it filed for an initial public offering of DirecTV Latin America via Vrio Corp., but subsequently canceled these plans due to unfavorable market conditions.
By 2019, AT&T had become the largest telecommunications provider globally and was the leading supplier of mobile and fixed telephone services within the United States. In September of that year, activist investor Elliott Management acquired a 1.2% stake in the company and advocated for asset sales aimed at improving financial performance.
In March 2020, amid cost-cutting initiatives, AT&T promoted AT&T TV as its principal pay-TV product while continuing to offer DirecTV selectively across certain markets.
On April 24, 2020, John Stankey succeeded Randall L. Stephenson as CEO during concerns over an approximate $200 billion debt load resulting from previous acquisitions.
Plans to sell Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment were abandoned due to increased gaming revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic and strong reception for key titles; however, Crunchyroll was sold to Sony’s Funimation for $1.175 billion in December 2020.
In February 2021, AT&T spun off DirecTV, U-Verse TV, and DirecTV Stream into an independent company with TPG Capital acquiring a 30% ownership stake; this transaction was completed in August 2021.
On May 17, 2021, AT&T announced intentions to spin off WarnerMedia and combine it with Discovery, Inc., forming a new media entity valued at $43 billion.
Electronic Arts purchased Playdemic from Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment for $1.4 billion in June 2021. Additionally, Fox Corporation acquired TMZ from WarnerMedia for roughly $50 million in September that year.
AT&T divested its advertising division Xandr—including AppNexus—to Microsoft in December 2021; this deal was finalized by June 2022.
The spin-off of WarnerMedia followed by its merger with Discovery resulted in the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery on April 8, 2022. Subsequently, HBO Max was removed from offerings included with AT&T’s unlimited plans.
On July 2, 2025, completion was announced for the sale of the remaining 70% stake in DirecTV by AT&T and TPG Capital.
2024 Snowflake Data Compromise
In the year 2024, AT&T was among multiple Snowflake Inc. customers impacted by a significant data security breach. The exposed information included phone and text records spanning May through October 2022, affecting "almost all" AT&T subscribers. This event was notable as it represented the inaugural occasion when the Justice Department urged a company to postpone an SEC disclosure due to national security considerations.
Additionally, AT&T faced a cyberattack in 2024 attributed to the Salt Typhoon advanced persistent threat group, which has been linked to the Chinese government. This assault targeted U.S. wiretap infrastructure.
Landline Operating Entities
Out of the original eight Bell System companies, five have been absorbed into AT&T’s corporate framework:
- Ameritech, acquired by SBC in 1999
- AT&T Corp., purchased by SBC in 2005
- BellSouth, integrated into AT&T in 2006
- Pacific Telesis, taken over by SBC in 1997
- Southwestern Bell, renamed SBC Communications in 1995
Present-Day States
AT&T's wireline division currently provides services across 22 states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Previously Operated Companies
Several subsidiaries were divested or dissolved under SBC/AT&T management:
- Woodbury Telephone merged with Southern New England Telephone in 2007.
- Southern New England Telephone was sold to Frontier Communications in 2014.
Reduction of Rural Landline Services
Various Baby Bells offloaded rural landline assets: Ameritech sold Wisconsin lines to CenturyTel in 1998; BellSouth transferred certain lines to MebTel during the 2000s; US West sold lines to Lynch Communications and Pacific Telecom in the 1990s; Verizon divested New England lines to FairPoint in 2008 and West Virginia operations to Frontier in 2010.
In a strategic move reflecting a retreat from rural wireline markets, Frontier Communications purchased AT&T’s Connecticut landline network in 2014 for roughly $2 billion, which included about 2,500 employees and multiple facilities.
Facilities and Operational Regions
AT&T’s corporate headquarters is situated at Whitacre Tower in downtown Dallas, Texas. On June 27, 2008, the company relocated its headquarters from San Antonio to Dallas aiming to enhance proximity to customers, global business operations, key technology collaborators, suppliers, and talent pools essential for growth. Formerly known as Southwestern Bell Corporation, AT&T had moved its headquarters from St. Louis to San Antonio in 1992. The Telecom Operations division, which supports residential and regional business clients across 22 U.S. states, continues to operate out of San Antonio.
The headquarters for AT&T Mobility is located in Atlanta, Georgia, with major offices also found in Redmond, Washington. Bedminster, New Jersey hosts Global Business Services and AT&T Labs, while St. Louis remains home to Directory operations and AT&T Advertising Solutions.
For its Asia Pacific activities, AT&T maintains a regional headquarters based in Hong Kong and holds a presence in Mexico. In 2014, AT&T announced the acquisition of Mexican carrier Iusacell, finalized in January 2015. Further expanding its footprint in Mexico on April 30, 2015, AT&T acquired Nextel Mexico’s wireless operations from NII Holdings.
Corporate governance
As of March 2024, the board of directors at AT&T is composed of the following members:[1]
The executive leadership team as of March 2024 consists of:[2]
- John Stankey – Chief Executive Officer
- Thaddeus Arroyo – Chief Strategy and Development Officer
- Pascal Desroches – Senior Executive Vice President and Chief financial officer
- Ed Gillespie – Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs
- Kellyn Smith Kenny – Chief Marketing and Growth Officer
- Lori Lee – CEO of AT&T Latin America and Global Marketing Officer
- Jeremy Legg – Chief Technology Officer, AT&T Services, Inc.
- David R. McAtee II – Senior Executive Vice President and General counsel
- Jeff McElfresh – Chief operating officer
Political involvement
Between 1989 and 2019, AT&T ranked as the fourteenth-largest contributor to U.S. federal political campaigns, donating over , with approximately 42% allocated to Republican candidates and 58% to Democrats.[3] Additionally, the company provided $250,000 for President George W. Bush's second inauguration in 2005.[4] Bill Leahy from AT&T holds a position on the Private Enterprise Board of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), known for drafting model legislation at the state level.[5]
From 1998 through 2019, AT&T invested more than in lobbying activities within the United States, concentrating efforts on broadband internet market accessibility.[6] The corporation endorsed initiatives such as the Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2013 aimed at enhancing FCC transparency and updating regulatory frameworks.[7][8]
In 2018, disclosures indicated that AT&T had made twelve payments totaling $600,000 during 2017 to Essential Consultants, a firm associated with Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's attorney. These payments were related to advisory services concerning its $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner as well as guidance on tax legislation and net neutrality issues.[9] AT&T acknowledged these transactions and cooperated with the Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller.[10] FCC Chairman Ajit Pai denied that Cohen had made inquiries about net neutrality on behalf of AT&T.[11]
In early 2019, the Democratic-controlled House Judiciary Committee sought records from the White House regarding the Time Warner merger.[12]
Despite publicly endorsing LGBTQ initiatives, AT&T has also funded groups that support anti-transgender legislation in several states with predominantly Republican legislatures, including Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida.[13][14][15]
Historical financial performance
Annual financial results are disclosed to shareholders and made publicly accessible. The data presented here utilizes the latest restated figures from the company's annual reports to ensure precision.
| Metric | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues (billion USD) | 45.38 | 43.14 | 40.50 | 40.79 | 43.86 | 63.06 | 118.9 | 124.0 | 122.5 | 124.8 | 126.7 | 127.4 | 128.8 | 132.4 | 146.8 | 163.8 | 160.5 | 170.8 | 181.2 |
| Net income (billion USD) | 7.01 | 5.65 | 8.51 | 5.89 | 4.79 | 7.36 | 11.95 | 12.87 | 12.14 | 19.86 | 3.94 | 7.26 | 18.25 | 6.22 | 13.69 | 13.33 | 29.85 | 19.37 | 13.90 |
| Assets (billion USD) | 96.42 | 95.17 | 102.0 | 110.3 | 145.6 | 270.6 | 275.6 | 265.2 | 268.3 | 268.5 | 270.3 | 272.3 | 277.8 | 292.8 | 402.7 | 403.8 | 444.1 | 531.9 | 551.7 |
| Number of employees (thousands) | 193.4 | 175.0 | 168.0 | 162.7 | 190.0 | 304.2 | 309.1 | 302.7 | 282.7 | 266.6 | 256.4 | 241.8 | 243.4 | 243.6 | 281.5 | 268.5 | 254.0 | 268.2 | 247.8 |
Carbon footprint
For the year ending December 31, 2020, AT&T recorded total CO2e emissions (including both direct and indirect sources) of 5,788 kilotonnes, marking an annual decline of approximately 11.3%. The company has set a target to reduce its emissions by 63% by the year 2030 compared to its levels in 2015, in accordance with commitments under the Science Based Targets initiative and the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 °C.
| Dec 2015 | Dec 2017 | Dec 2018 | Dec 2019 | Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,829 | 7,801 | 7,749 | 6,525 | 5,788 |
Hemisphere database
Since its inception in 1987, the company has maintained a comprehensive database containing call detail records for all telephone communications routed through its network. AT&T personnel are stationed within High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area offices located in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Houston to expedite data provision to law enforcement agencies via administrative subpoenas, circumventing judicial or grand jury review.
Censorship
In September 2007, AT&T updated its legal policy to permit immediate suspension or termination of services if a user’s behavior was deemed harmful to the company’s reputation or interests; however, after public criticism, by October 2007 the company explicitly reaffirmed its support for freedom of expression within its Internet service terms.
Privacy controversy
The Electronic Frontier Foundation initiated Hepting v. AT&T in 2006, accusing AT&T of enabling NSA warrantless surveillance on customer communications, potentially infringing upon constitutional protections and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Former AT&T technician Mark Klein corroborated these allegations through an affidavit detailing internal practices supporting surveillance activities; meanwhile, the Department of Justice invoked the State Secrets Privilege during litigation proceedings, which ultimately led to dismissal of the case in 2009 following enactment of retroactive provisions under the FISA Amendments Act.
Reports surfaced that AT&T and other telecommunications providers transferred extensive call records to the NSA for inclusion in a large-scale database system; subsequently, AT&T revised its privacy policy in 2006 asserting ownership over customer data as a measure to protect corporate interests and comply with legal obligations.
In a statement during a Senate hearing in early 2007, National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell acknowledged AT&T’s participation in warrantless wiretapping involving communications between domestic and international parties; additionally, Mark Klein disclosed that all Internet traffic passing through AT&T infrastructure was duplicated into a secure facility accessible solely by personnel with NSA clearance.
While AT&T retains metadata related to text messages—such as sender and timestamp information—for periods ranging from five to seven years, it does not store message content itself; nevertheless, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has assigned the company a one-star rating regarding privacy practices due to ongoing concerns about data management policies and transparency.
Copyright enforcement
In early 2008, AT&T explored the possibility of implementing a network-wide filter to detect intellectual property infringements, raising concerns about potential customer attrition and igniting discussions on network neutrality.
Currently, AT&T’s approach to copyright enforcement depends on alerts from rights holders who report suspected illegal sharing through IP addresses on peer-to-peer platforms, rather than employing proactive content filtering. The company has disconnected broadband accounts of users repeatedly flagged for infringement, pairing enforcement actions with educational initiatives aimed at reducing violations.
Discrimination against local public-access television channels
In 2009, community media organizations accused AT&T of unfairly limiting access to local public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable channels. Barbara Popovic, executive director of Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV), highlighted that AT&T’s U-verse service grouped all public-access channels into a separate menu that lacked standard functionality such as channel numbers, program guides, and DVR capabilities. The California Public Utilities Commission’s Ratepayer Advocates found that these community stations were consolidated into a generic channel only accessible through a complicated navigation process. Sue Buske, president of the Buske Group and former leader of the National Federation of Local Cable Programmers, characterized this as a nationwide assault on public access media.
Information security
In June 2010, the hacker collective Goatse Security revealed a security flaw in AT&T’s system that permitted unauthorized retrieval of Apple iPad 3G customers’ email addresses without requiring passwords. By employing an automated script, Goatse Security amassed thousands of email addresses and shared approximately 114,000 with Gawker Media, drawing criticism toward AT&T’s inadequately secured web application.
In April 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed a $25 million penalty on AT&T due to data breaches involving the theft of personal information from nearly 280,000 customers through call centers located in Mexico, Colombia, and the Philippines—marking the FCC’s largest fine related to privacy violations at that time.
In March 2024, AT&T acknowledged a data breach dating back to 2021 that exposed contact information for over 7.6 million active subscribers and 65 million former customers. The compromised data included sensitive details such as social security numbers and account passcodes, resulting in multiple class-action lawsuits being filed.
By July 2024, AT&T disclosed yet another significant breach—the largest recorded—affecting roughly 110 million customers whose telephone records were stolen. This event highlights persistent vulnerabilities in AT&T’s data protection and risk management frameworks.
Accusations of enabling fraud
In March 2012, the federal government initiated legal action against AT&T under the False Claims Act, alleging that the company facilitated improper federal reimbursement for IP Relay calls originating from unauthorized international users who exploited the service fraudulently. The lawsuit claimed AT&T knowingly implemented a registration system that failed to verify users’ U.S. residency, allowing fraudulent foreign calls to constitute up to 95% of total call volume. The company was charged with improperly billing the TRS Fund and receiving millions in federal payments as a result. In 2013, AT&T reached a settlement with the FCC through a consent decree and agreed to pay $21.75 million.
Controversy Surrounding Aaron Slator
On April 28, 2015, AT&T dismissed Aaron Slator, who was serving as President of Content and Advertising Sales, due to text messages considered racially offensive. Subsequently, Knoyme King, an African-American employee, initiated a $100 million defamation suit against Slator. Demonstrations took place at AT&T’s Dallas headquarters, various branch offices, and at CEO Randall Stephenson’s residence, calling for collaboration exclusively with media companies fully owned by Black entrepreneurs.
On January 24, 2017, Slator filed a defamation and wrongful termination lawsuit against AT&T in Los Angeles Superior Court. He argued that he was made a "scapegoat" during AT&T’s $48.5 billion DirecTV acquisition process, asserting that company leaders had been aware of the messages since 2013 and had assured him he would not be terminated. AT&T upheld its decision to terminate Slator, reaffirming its dedication to diversity and inclusion principles.
Government Agency Overbilling
In 2020, AT&T reached a $48 million settlement with 30 government bodies under the California False Claims Act regarding allegations that it violated contractual promises to provide services at the "lowest cost available." The company denied any misconduct.
One America News Network Involvement
A Reuters investigation in 2021 uncovered AT&T’s substantial involvement in establishing and financially supporting One America News Network (OAN), a far-right television channel known for disseminating conspiracy theories. Evidence showed that approximately 90% of OAN’s revenue originated from AT&T. Founder Robert Herring Sr. disclosed that AT&T’s intention was to launch a conservative alternative to Fox News. Court documents revealed OAN agreed to portray AT&T favorably during broadcasts. AT&T refuted these allegations. The company’s role attracted criticism from NAACP President Derrick Johnson and comedian John Oliver.
Unauthorized Disclosure of Information to Wall Street
In March 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against AT&T and three executives for breaching the Fair Disclosure Rule by selectively sharing "material nonpublic information" with Wall Street analysts. The SEC contended that beginning in early 2016, these leaks were intended to influence AT&T’s revenue projections.
By December 2022, AT&T agreed to pay $6.25 million to resolve the case without admitting wrongdoing. The implicated executives each received fines of $25,000.
Bribery to Sway Legislative Decisions
In October 2022, AT&T paid $23 million to settle a federal criminal investigation concerning bribery linked to former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Through a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, AT&T acknowledged making payments to an associate of Madigan to secure his 2017 vote on legislation that eliminated AT&T's "Carrier of Last Resort" responsibilities in Illinois—a move anticipated to save the company millions. Madigan also obstructed a 2018 bill amendment related to small cell tower attachment fees that would have negatively impacted AT&T.
Paul La Schiazza, former President of AT&T Illinois and scheduled for trial in September 2024 over the bribery case, referred to the arrangement with Madigan as "the friends and family plan."
2024 service interruption
On February 22, 2024, a widespread cellular network failure impacted millions of AT&T subscribers throughout the United States. This outage disrupted emergency call capabilities, leading to inquiries by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security regarding a possible cyberattack. AT&T attributed the issue to an improperly timed server update and subsequently issued compensation credits to those affected. In March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated an official investigation into the event.
2024 Data Breach Penalty
On September 18, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) imposed a $13 million penalty on AT&T following a major data breach that compromised personal information of millions of customers. The FTC highlighted insufficient cybersecurity safeguards and delayed breach notifications as key concerns. Under the settlement terms, AT&T is required to strengthen its data security measures and provide identity theft protection services to affected individuals.
Corporate buildings
- Whitacre Tower (One AT&T Plaza) – headquarters located in Dallas, Texas
- AT&T 220 Building – Indianapolis, Indiana
- AT&T Building – Detroit, Michigan
- AT&T Building – Indianapolis, Indiana
- AT&T Building – Kingman, Arizona
- AT&T Building ("The Batman Building") – Nashville, Tennessee
- AT&T Building – Omaha, Nebraska
- AT&T Building Addition – Detroit, Michigan
- AT&T Building – San Diego
- AT&T Center – Los Angeles
- AT&T Center – St. Louis, Missouri
- AT&T City Center – Birmingham, Alabama
- AT&T Corporate Center – Chicago, Illinois
- AT&T Huron Road Building – Cleveland, Ohio
- AT&T Lenox Park Campus – Mobility Headquarters near Atlanta, Georgia
- AT&T Midtown Center – Atlanta, Georgia
- AT&T Switching Center – Los Angeles; additional facilities in Oakland and San Francisco
- AT&T Tower – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- AT&T locations in Meriden, Connecticut and DirecTV corporate campus in El Segundo, California
Event venues
- AT&T Field – located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, previously known as BellSouth Park
- AT&T Plaza – situated in Chicago, Illinois; public area featuring the Cloud Gate sculpture within Millennium Park
- AT&T Performing Arts Center – Dallas, Texas
- AT&T Stadium – based in Arlington, Texas, formerly called Cowboys Stadium
- AT&T Stadium – outdoor venue at the Boy Scouts of America’s Summit Bechtel Reserve, Glen Jean, West Virginia
- Jones AT&T Stadium – located in Lubbock, Texas, formerly named Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium and Jones SBC Stadium
Sponsorship portfolio
- 100 Thieves (esports organization)
- AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament held in Irving, Texas
- AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf event
- Capitanes de la Ciudad de México basketball team
- Chicago Bulls basketball franchise
- College Football Playoff National Championship event
- Dallas Stars professional ice hockey team
- Official partner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Houston Rockets basketball team
- Supporter of Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation since 2009; includes backing for U.S. men's and women's national teams as well as the MLS All-Star Game
- Sponsor of the Mexico national football team
- Corporate Champion status with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
- Partnerships with professional basketball leagues including the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League; involvement with USA Basketball and NBA 2K League esports competitions
- Formula One affiliations: supported teams such as BMW Sauber in 2005, Scuderia Ferrari in 2005, and Williams Racing from 2007 to 2011; provided technical sponsorship for Red Bull Racing between 2011 and 2020
- Sponsorship agreement with esports organization Cloud9, beginning March 2019
- Partnered with Mexican soccer club Club América since July 19, 2018
External links
- Corporate details
- AT&T – Archived 2011 history and science materials from The Franklin Institute's Case Files
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