AT&T Communications
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | July 28, 2017 |
| Headquarters | Dallas , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | John Donovan (CEO) |
| Products | Mobile phone, broadband, fixed line telephone, home security, network security, business solutions |
| Parent | AT&T |
AT&T Communications operates as a segment of AT&T that focuses on services including mobile phone, broadband, fixed line telephone, home security, network security, and solutions for businesses. This division encompasses entities such as AT&T Mobility, AT&T Internet, AT&T Phone, AT&T Long Distance, AT&T Labs, and AT&T Business Solutions.
History and information
On July 28, 2017, AT&T revealed the creation of the AT&T Communications division, bringing together AT&T Mobility, DirecTV, U-verse, AT&T Business, AT&T Intellectual Property, AT&T Labs, Cricket Wireless, AT&T Digital Life, Vyatta, AT&T Adworks, and the Technology and Operations Group into a unified structure.
In October 2016, AT&T reached an agreement to purchase Time Warner for $85.4 billion (including debt assumed), intending to broaden its media portfolio alongside its telecommunications assets like satellite service provider DirecTV. This acquisition was comparable to competitor Comcast's takeover of NBCUniversal.
Prior to the merger's completion, a reorganization took effect on August 1, 2017, appointing John Donovan as CEO of AT&T Communications and assigning John Stankey to oversee Time Warner's media operations. In November 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice initiated an antitrust lawsuit aiming to prevent the merger due to potential negative impacts on consumers. Nevertheless, the merger deadline was postponed until June 21, 2018. A federal judge approved the transaction on June 12, 2018; two days later, AT&T finalized the acquisition for $85 billion. The acquired media properties were rebranded under the name WarnerMedia. On May 17, 2021, AT&T declared intentions to combine WarnerMedia with Discovery, Inc., forming Warner Bros. Discovery—a deal concluded on April 8, 2022.
Expanding into cybersecurity, on July 10, 2018, AT&T acquired startup AlienVault for an undisclosed amount; this acquisition was completed on August 22, 2018.
AT&T Phone
AT&T Phone—previously known as AT&T U-verse Voice—is a digital telephony service that utilizes AT&T’s IP network (VoIP). It provides voicemail accessible via *98 and features such as Caller ID, Call Blocking, and Anonymous Call Blocker. Subscribers who use both AT&T Phone and U-verse TV enjoy integrated functionalities like call history visible on channel 9900 and "Click to Call" directly from the TV interface. Initially launched in Detroit on January 22, 2008, this service operates independently from AT&T’s traditional POTS-based offerings including Long Distance and conventional landlines without VoIP technology.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- American companies established in 2017
- AT&T subsidiaries
- Bell System
- Companies based in Dallas
- Internet service providers of the United States
- Re-established companies
- Telecommunications companies established in 2017
- Telecommunications companies of the United States
- Tier 1 networks