Hubbry Logo
AT&T MobilityAT&T MobilityMain
Open search
AT&T Mobility
Community hub
AT&T Mobility
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
AT&T Mobility
AT&T Mobility
AT&T Mobility
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

AT&T Mobility, LLC, also known as AT&T Wireless and marketed as simply AT&T, is an American telecommunications company. Formed in April 2000 as Cingular Wireless LLC, It is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Inc. and provides wireless services in the United States. AT&T Mobility is the third largest wireless carrier in the United States, with 120.1 million subscribers as of December 31, 2025.[3]

Key Information

The company is headquartered in Brookhaven, Georgia. Originally known as Cingular Wireless (a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth) from 2000 to 2007, the company acquired the old AT&T Wireless in 2004; SBC later acquired the original AT&T and adopted its name. Cingular became wholly owned by AT&T in December 2006 as a result of AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth.

In January 2007, Cingular confirmed it would rebrand itself under the AT&T name. Although the legal corporate name change occurred immediately, for both regulatory and brand-awareness reasons both brands were used in the company's signage and advertising during a transition period.[4] The transition concluded in late June, just prior to the rollout of the Apple iPhone.

On March 20, 2011, AT&T Mobility announced its intention to acquire T-Mobile US from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion. If it had received government and regulatory approval, AT&T would have had more than 130 million subscribers.[5] However, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and AT&T Mobility's competitors (such as Sprint Corporation) opposed the move on the grounds that it would substantially reduce competition in the cellular network market. In December 2011, in the face of both governmental and widespread consumer opposition, AT&T withdrew its offer to complete the merger.[6]

Services

[edit]

AT&T offers three tiers of its Unlimited Your Way plan, AT&T Unlimited Premium PL, AT&T Unlimited Extra EL, and AT&T Unlimited Starter SL. Customers can also choose from either the AT&T Value Plus VL, or AT&T 4 GB plans. All plans come with unlimited talk and text, with unlimited data on all except the AT&T 4 GB plan.[7] The higher tier plans include premium data that offers superior service, up to the allotted limit on each line during a bill cycle, plus other features like Mobile Hotspot and more.[7] The AT&T Unlimited Premium® PL plan also includes unlimited talk, text, and data in 20 Latin American countries including the Dominican Republic, included at no extra charge.[8] As of January 8, 2016, AT&T no longer offers two-year contracts for subsidized smartphones on consumer accounts. Customers who currently have two-year contracts are grandfathered until they upgrade to a new device, in which case they will have to choose from AT&T's NEXT installment plans for smartphones.[9] Unlimited data plans may be throttled based on the terms of the plan.[10]

AT&T also allows existing customers to stay on legacy right plans; however, reserves the right to terminate or require a plan change per its terms of service.[11]

AT&T retail store in Asheville, North Carolina

Within AT&T's 21-state landline footprint, other AT&T services are offered at the AT&T retail stores, including signing up for home phone, internet, and U-verse. AT&T stores outside of its footprint offer wireless services. AT&T also provides free-email services to its customers.[12]

Employees

[edit]

A large number of AT&T Mobility employees are unionized, belonging to the Communications Workers of America. The CWA represented roughly 15,000 of the previous 20,000 formerly AT&T Wireless employees as of early 2006.[13] As of the end of 2009, the CWA website claims that roughly 40,000 workers of AT&T Mobility are represented by the union.[14]

History

[edit]

Cingular Wireless

[edit]
Cingular Wireless logo, 2000–2004
Cingular Wireless logo, 2004–2006

Cingular Wireless was a wireless telecommunications company that was founded in April 2000 as a joint venture of SBC Communications and BellSouth.[15] The joint venture created the nation's second-largest carrier. Cingular grew out of a conglomeration of more than 100 companies,[16] including 12 well-known regional companies with Bell roots. The 12 companies included:

SBC Wireless had previously operated in several northeast markets under the "Cellular One" brand, while BellSouth's wireless operations incorporated the former Houston Cellular.

Cingular's lineage can be traced back to Advanced Mobile Phone Service, which was a subsidiary of AT&T created in 1978 to provide cellular service nationwide. AMPS was divided among the Regional Bell Operating Companies as part of the Bell System divestiture.

With the exception of Pacific Bell and BellSouth Mobility DCS, the digital network consisted of D-AMPS technology. The Pacific Bell and BellSouth Mobility DCS networks used GSM technology on the PCS frequency band (1900 MHz).

In October 2007, AT&T's president and chief executive officer Stan Sigman announced his retirement. Ralph de la Vega, group president-Regional Telecom & Entertainment, was named as president and CEO of AT&T Mobility.[17]

AT&T Wireless merger

[edit]

In February 2004, after a bidding war with Britain's Vodafone Plc (at the time a part-owner of Verizon Wireless), Cingular announced that it would purchase its struggling competitor, AT&T Wireless Services, for $41 billion. This was more than twice the company's trading value.

AT&T Wireless logo, 1987–2005
AT&T Wireless logo, 1987–2005

The merger was completed on October 26, 2004. The combined company had a customer base of 46 million people at the time, making Cingular the largest wireless provider in the United States. AT&T Wireless was then legally renamed New Cingular Wireless Services.[18] Shortly after, new commercials were shown with the "AT&T" transforming into the Cingular logo, and with the Cingular logo's text turned blue to acknowledge the change. Some of the companies that comprised Cingular, such as BellSouth Mobility, ceased to exist when they were legally merged into the operating company subsidiary AT&T Wireless PCS, which was New Cingular Wireless PCS.[citation needed]

First announced on June 22, 2005, Cingular Wireless announced the intention to divest its Caribbean and Bermuda operations and licenses which it acquired from the acquisition of AT&T Wireless, to Irish-owned and Jamaica-based Digicel Group under undisclosed financial terms.[19][20][21][22]

In 2006, one year following the deal, a high-ranking source allegedly close to the sale pointed the Barbados Daily Nation Newspaper towards some SEC filings made by Cingular which were said to establish an idea of the approximate sale price of the deal. According to the SEC filings Cingular was paid around $122 million, with much of that cost going towards the purchase of the former AT&T Wireless assets in Barbados by Digicel.[citation needed]

At the time of the merger, there were two networks: the historic AT&T Blue Network and the Cingular Orange Network. Both networks contained a mix of both TDMA and GSM facilities. Approximately 50,000 cell sites had to be melded together. From a technical standpoint, the "blue" and "orange" networks were considered different networks until integration was completed in 2005.[23] Enhanced Network Selection (ENS) was used to home cellular devices on either the "blue" or "orange" network during this process.

The New AT&T

[edit]
AT&T Mobility logo, 2007–2015

On November 21, 2005, Ed Whitacre, then CEO of the newly merged SBC/AT&T, announced plans to market Cingular's service under the AT&T brand. BellSouth spokesman Jeff Battcher countered that the terms of the joint venture allow either party to sell the service under another name, and that he believes they will be using the brand to market to business customers.[24] Cingular president Stan Sigman concurred with BellSouth's position, indicating that the Cingular brand would continue but be sold under the AT&T brand where offered in packages with other AT&T services, such as data and wireline telephony.

However, AT&T announced on March 5, 2006, that AT&T would merge with BellSouth.[25] The acquisition was finalized on December 29, 2006, when the FCC gave its final approval. The following month, AT&T announced that it would phase out the Cingular brand across all of its services and replace it with AT&T, with an accompanying advertising campaign branding the combined company as "The New AT&T." Commercials featured the orange Cingular "Jack" logo encircling the AT&T globe logo several times, dragging its blue bars behind it to form the globe's blue stripes, before finally disappearing behind it, being backed by the chorus of the Oasis song "All Around the World". AT&T added the color orange to its signage to reflect the change;[26][27] AT&T would eventually remove orange in 2015 following another rebranding related to its acquisition of DirecTV.

In November 2007, AT&T merged with Dobson Communications, who owned Cellular One and was a roaming partner of AT&T, for $2.8 billion. The sale added 1.7 million subscribers and expanded AT&T coverage in various suburban and rural markets (including Alaska).[28] On November 7, 2008, AT&T announced its intent to acquire Centennial Wireless for $944 million, expanding its coverage in the Midwest, southern U.S., and Puerto Rico.[29]

Failed acquisition of T-Mobile USA

[edit]
Main article: Attempted purchase of T-Mobile USA by AT&T

On March 20, 2011, AT&T and Deutsche Telekom announced that AT&T had agreed to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a deal estimated to be worth $39 billion in cash and stock. AT&T said the deal was expected to close in 12 months and was subject to regulatory approval. As of June 2011, it was being examined by the FCC.[30] On August 31, 2011, the United States Department of Justice formally announced that it had filed a lawsuit to block the merger.[31] On November 22, 2011, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recommended sending AT&T's proposed T-Mobile acquisition to an administrative law judge for review and a hearing.[32] On November 23, 2011, AT&T withdrew its application with the FCC regarding the acquisition of T-Mobile USA. They also indicated that they would recognize a $4 billion accounting charge in the event of a deal collapse. That charge covers a $3 billion cash breakup fee and $1 billion as the market value for the spectrum they were required to transfer to T-Mobile if the deal failed to complete.[33]

2012–present

[edit]

On August 2, 2012, AT&T announced its intent to acquire NextWave Wireless.[34] On January 22, 2013, AT&T announced its intent to acquire the U.S. retail wireless operations of Atlantic Tele-Network, doing business as Alltel, for $780 million.[35] On June 24, 2014, Plateau Wireless announced the sale of assets and operations in eastern New Mexico and west Texas to AT&T, including wireless spectrum and 40,000 customers.[36][37]

In November 2014 and January 2015, AT&T acquired the Mexican wireless carriers Iusacell and Nextel Mexico to form AT&T Mexico.[38][39]

On October 9, 2019, Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico's parent company (Liberty Latin America), announced the acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in a $1.95 billion deal. The sale was completed on November 2, 2020. In May 2021, the company began promoting AT&T and Liberty as a unified brand. In September 2021, Liberty began phasing out the AT&T brand and introduced a new logo.

On February 22, 2024, a massive outage affected customers nationwide.

Network

[edit]

GSM facilities

[edit]
Cingular 3G UMTS SIM card.

In California, Nevada, Northern New Jersey and New York City, Cingular and T-Mobile USA maintained and shared a GSM-1900 network prior to the acquisition of AT&T Wireless, through a joint venture known as GSM Facilities. The network sharing agreement allowed Cingular to offer local service in northern New Jersey and New York City and T-Mobile USA to offer service in California and Nevada. On May 25, 2004, Cingular and T-Mobile USA announced their intention to dissolve the agreement contingent on Cingular's successful acquisition of AT&T Wireless, the Cingular network was transferred to T-Mobile USA, with Cingular continuing work on the GSM facilities at AT&T Wireless sites.[40]

Fiber network switching facilities

[edit]

AT&T has a global sub-sea Tier-1 fiber network switching facility on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in conjunction with University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park.

Radio frequency summary

[edit]

Further information: LTE frequency bands and 5G NR frequency bands

The following is a list of known frequencies that AT&T employs in the United States.

Frequencies used on the AT&T Network
Frequency range Band
number		 Protocol Generation Status Notes
700 MHz Lower SMH A/B/C/D/E Blocks, Upper D Block 12/17 LTE/LTE-A/
LTE-A Pro		 4G Active/Building Out Bands 12 and 17 are AT&T's main LTE bands for coverage.
14 Band 14 was acquired from FirstNet. Used for public safety services, although commercial uses are permitted (with lower priority). Spectrum possession covers 100% of the United States.
29 Band 29 is only for supplemental downlink.
850 MHz CLR 5 Active/Refarming to 5G Band 5 LTE has been shut down in many markets, and moved entirely to 5G.[41]
1.7/2.1 GHz AWS 4 Active/Building Out Additional LTE bands for capacity.
66
1.9 GHz PCS 2
2.3 GHz WCS 30
3.5 GHz CBRS 48 Used for coverage in select indoor areas, with additional expansion possible.[42][43]
5.2 GHz U-NII 46 Only for downlink acceleration in key market area.
850 MHz CLR n5 NR 5G Branded as "5G ". Primary band for 5G NR network for consumers in many markets.
1.7/2.1 GHz AWS n66 Branded as "5G ". Additional 5G capacity in some markets.
1.9 GHz PCS n2 Branded as "5G ". Provides 5G NR network coverage in some markets. Began deployment in late 2020 via DSS with LTE.
3.45 GHz C-Band n77 Branded as "5G+ ". Provides mid-band 5G coverage. Acquired in 2021 auction, with deployment beginning the year after.[44] Spectrum possession covers 100% of the United States.
3.7 GHz C-Band Branded as "5G+ ". Provides mid-band 5G coverage. Went live on January 19, 2022.[45] Spectrum possession covers 100% of the United States.
39 GHz Ka-band n260 Branded as "5G+ " . Provides mmWave 5G coverage for high-speed. Only available in select areas. Went live in December 2018.

Past networks

[edit]

Further information: GSM frequency bands and UMTS frequency bands

The following chart lists the networks that AT&T previously operated.

Frequency Band Band number Protocol Generation Status Notes
850 MHz CLR N/A AMPS 1G Retired Network was retired on March 1, 2008.[46][47]
850 MHz CLR D-AMPS 2G
1.9 GHz PCS Network was retired on July 15, 2007.[48][49][50]
850 MHz CLR 5 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Network was retired on January 1, 2017.[51]
1.9 GHz PCS 2
850 MHz CLR 5 UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ 3G AT&T marketed its HSPA/HSPA+ services as "4G".[52][53]
Network was retired on February 22, 2022.[54]
1.9 GHz PCS 2

Coverage

[edit]

As a result of its formation through mergers and acquisitions, as well as the rapid technological change in the wireless industry, AT&T operates the second-largest digital voice and data network within its United States footprint. AT&T's network footprint supports 4G and uses LTE/LTE-Advanced for simultaneous packet switched voice and data communications. AT&T is also in the process of rolling out its 5G network based on the NR specification.

Cingular, the predecessor to AT&T, supported legacy D-AMPS/TDMA and analog wireless networks. In March 2006, Cingular announced that these networks would be shut down by February 2008. As of March 31, 2007, Cingular ended TDMA supported for GoPhone (pre-paid) customers. On July 15, 2007, AT&T TDMA on 1900 MHz was retired, while TDMA on 850 MHz remained.[48][49][50] On February 18, 2008, AT&T Mobility officially ended service on their AMPS and remaining TDMA network, except for in areas previously operated by Dobson Communications; the Dobson AMPS and TDMA network was shut down March 1, 2008.[46] Networks formerly operated by AT&T predecessors including Cingular also include various paging services and the Cingular Interactive division, which became Velocita Wireless. Velocita was later purchased by Sprint Nextel.[55] AT&T also offered Enhanced Push To Talk (PTT) services on smartphones. The original PTT service was sunset.

The AT&T wireless data network began in 2002 as a Cingular initiative called "Project Genesis" that involved a GPRS overlay of the entire wireless network. Project Genesis was completed by the end of 2004. Later, this network was upgraded to EDGE across the GSM footprint.

In 2005, AT&T launched a broadband network known as "BroadbandConnect", based on UMTS and HSDPA, to counter Verizon Wireless and Sprint's EV-DO networks. UMTS service was launched on December 6, 2005, in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, San Jose, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Puerto Rico, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and expanded to all major metropolitan markets by the end of 2006. As of early 2009, AT&T Mobility has completed its upgrade of the 3G to HSUPA,[56]

In 2011, it was reported that AT&T would upgrade its network to HSPA+ throughout the year, which it would market as offering 4G-grade speeds.[52][53] On September 18, 2011, AT&T first launched LTE service in 5 U.S. metropolitan areas, with plans for serving 15 markets by the end of the year. AT&T's LTE rollout was noticeably slower than that of its competitor, Verizon Wireless, with the company stating that its then-proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA would be necessary.[57] In November 2012, AT&T promoted the network as serving 150 million users, with plans to double its coverage by 2014.[58]

On January 1, 2017, AT&T discontinued its 2G GSM network.[51][59]

In April 2017, AT&T announced that it would upgrade its existing LTE networks in selected markets to support LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro features, marketed as "5G Evolution" (5G E).[60]

In January 2018, AT&T stated that it intended to deploy 5G NR service by the end of the year.[61]

On February 22, 2022, AT&T discontinued its 3G UMTS network[54]

AT&T operates the second-largest 5G network in the U.S. with approximately 30% of the nation covered.[62] AT&T uses low, mid, and high band frequencies. Mid and high band 5G is marketed as 5G+ and offers much faster speeds than low band.[63] Continuous expansion of the 5G network, especially mid-band 5G+, is planned through 2023. AT&T plans to cover 200 million people with 5G+ by the end of 2023.[64]

Marketing

[edit]

"Fewest dropped calls"

[edit]

During the first quarter of 2006, Telephia reported that during an extensive nationwide test of major wireless carriers in 350 metropolitan markets around the country, Cingular dropped the fewest calls across the country. In turn, Cingular began aggressively advertising the "Allover Network", citing Telephia as "the leading independent research company." Telephia's report was in stark contrast to the Consumers Union publication, Consumer Reports, based on a survey of 50,000 of its members in 18 cities, which criticized Cingular for static and dropped calls.[65] Furthermore, J.D. Power and Associates consistently ranked Cingular at or near the bottom of every geographical region in its 2006 Wireless Call Quality Study, which is based on a smaller survey of 23,000 wireless users. This campaign had to come to an abrupt end.

Telephia, which tests wireless networks by making over 6 million calls per year in what it claims is the world's largest wireless network test program, initially refused to provide details on its study, and a spokesman for the company has said, according to the Boston Globe, that "Cingular shouldn't have even mentioned the company's name to a reporter."[66] The research company later stated that Cingular did, indeed, have a "statistically significant lower dropped-call rate than the competition across some market/time period groupings", but that Telephia had "no knowledge of the specific methodology (markets, time periods or statistical thresholds) that Cingular used for its 'lowest dropped call' claim."[67] While AT&T has abandoned its verbal claim of "The Fewest Dropped Calls" in its commercials, it continues to show situations where two persons are speaking with each other on their phones, and one of the users' call drops. AT&T now states "We are still continuing to run ads that emphasize the importance of not dropping calls. That campaign is continuing."[68]

iPhone

[edit]

On June 29, 2007, Apple's iPhone was introduced to the United States market, and AT&T was the exclusive carrier for the device within the United States until February 10, 2011, when the iPhone 4 was launched on the Verizon network.

Teething problems with AT&T's billing process emerged soon after the iPhone's release, as early adopters started receiving exceptionally detailed monthly telephone bills[69] with one of the most notable being the 300-page iPhone bill that was featured in an online video by YouTube influencer iJustine.[70][71]

Apple launched the iPhone 3G with AT&T on July 11, 2008. Although specific AT&T sales numbers are unavailable, Apple announced that over 1 million iPhone 3G devices were sold during the first three days — in contrast, according to Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, "It took 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones."[72] In August 2008, Best Buy announced that it would begin selling the iPhone 3G for use on the AT&T network.[73] In September 2008, AT&T announced that it would also sell the iPhone 3G in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.[74]

The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. According to Apple, over 1.7 million iPhone 4 units were sold in the first few days, which is the most out of any phone ever sold. These sales propelled AT&T to strong Q2 results.

The iPhone 5 was released on September 12, 2012. Apple reported selling 5 million iPhone 5's in the first weekend.[75] AT&T activated 8.5 million iPhones in Q4 of 2012.[76]

Android-based smart phones

[edit]

On February 18, 2010, AT&T announced that on March 7, 2010, it would introduce its first smart phone based on Google's Android operating system,[77] the Motorola Backflip.[78][79] On March 22, 2010, AT&T announced that its second Android handset would be the Dell Aero, a revised version of the Dell Mini 3.[80] However, the second Android phone AT&T released was the HTC Aria[81][82][83] which was announced on June 14, 2010, and released on June 20, 2010. The Samsung Captivate, which is part of the Galaxy S family, was released on AT&T's network on July 18, 2010. In addition to devices released on AT&T were a line of handsets manufactured by Motorola. The Motorola Flipout, followed by the Motorola Flipside and the Motorola Bravo all run Android 2.1 and were all released Q4 2010. Three new 4G Android devices were announced for release within the first and second quarter of the fiscal year 2011, including the Motorola Atrix 4G, the HTC Inspire 4G, and the Samsung Infuse 4G. HTC Inspire 4G being the first, preceded by the Motorola Atrix 4G are, available through AT&T's 4G network.[84] These three devices are all running Android 2.2 (Froyo) and are expected to be upgraded to Android 2.3 Gingerbread later in the year, along with an update to "enable" 4G uploads. Unlike other United States networks with Android-based phones, AT&T did not allow non-market apps to be installed. However, on May 16, 2011, AT&T announced that some current and future Android devices will come with an option to allow the installation of unofficial applications.[85]

4G LTE (long-term evolution)

[edit]

In a BBDO campaign for 4G and 4G LTE started in November 2012, Beck Bennett interviewed children in commercials directed by Jorma Taccone, with the slogan "It's not complicated." The children were asked whether fast or slow is better, or whether two is better than one.[86][87][88] Taccone said "The spots are 'guided' improv", meaning the children were allowed to be natural until others had to step in and help.[87]

In Need for Speed Games

[edit]

In the NFS games Underground 2 to Carbon, the network (as Cingular) was shown as the mobile internet provider in the ingame voice/text message.[89]

Current services

[edit]

AT&T reintroduced unlimited plans in 2016; on launch, users were required to subscribe to an AT&T-owned pay television service (DirecTV or U-verse) in order to be eligible.[90] In April 2017, the Unlimited Plus plan was reduced in price, and a complimentary subscription to HBO (either as part of an AT&T-owned pay television service, or standalone via HBO GO) was added to both plans.[91][92] In June 2018, the two plans were discontinued for new subscribers and replaced by similar "Unlimited & More" plans, which both include AT&T's new "Watch TV" service (which includes a selection of entertainment cable networks) at no charge, and Unlimited & More Premium allowing users to also choose a premium subscription service (such as Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, Spotify, Starz, Amazon Music Unlimited, Pandora Premium, or VRV) as an add-on. The basic Unlimited & More plan is restricted to standard definition video streaming.[93][94][95]

AT&T Prepaid

[edit]

AT&T Prepaid (stylized AT&T PREPAID; formerly GoPhone) is a prepaid mobile phone service from AT&T Mobility.

The GoPhone name and product were originally conceived and implemented by McCaw Cellular by its founder Craig McCaw and first used in commerce in 1987 by his company. It was later bought by AT&T in 1995 and used by the pre-2004 "AT&T Wireless" after Cingular's purchase of AT&T Wireless in 2004 for $41 billion.[96] At that time, Cingular was jointly owned by SBC Communications (Southwestern Bell Corporation) of San Antonio, Texas, which owned 60 percent, and BellSouth of Atlanta, Georgia.[96]

The original GoPhone service was discontinued and Cingular renamed its prepaid services under GoPhone. The GoPhone brand name was still in use even after "Cingular" renamed itself "AT&T Mobility" until 2017 when it was rebranded AT&T PREPAID.[97]

As of January 2019, AT&T Prepaid has 6 million subscribers.[98]

NumberSync

[edit]

NumberSync was introduced in 2015. The service allows AT&T postpaid wireless customers to use one telephone number to send and receive calls and text messages across all of their supported devices.[99]

Controversies

[edit]

Misrepresentation of network technology

[edit]

Misrepresentation as 4G (LTE)

[edit]

In 2011, following a similar change by T-Mobile USA,[100] AT&T began marketing both its HSPA and HSPA+ services as "4G", and distributed phone software patches changing their network indicators to identify these services as such. With the ITU having expanded its definition of 4G to include HSPA+,[101] AT&T decided to label 14 Mbit/s HSPA devices and service as HSPA+, and thus 4G. Standard HSPA service, however, never met 4G standards, nor are these HSPA devices (non-Evolved) actually capable of operating at HSPA+ speeds.[102] Media outlets considered this branding to be deceptive. Concerns were also expressed over the possibility of confusion when actual 4G VoLTE networks were to be eventually deployed.[103][104][105][106]

Misrepresentation as 5G

[edit]

In 2017, AT&T began to similarly use the trademark 5G Evolution (5G E) to refer to LTE networks upgraded to support higher data speeds via LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro features, such as 4x4 MIMO antennas, 256-QAM, and three-way carrier aggregation. AT&T promotes these networks as having a theoretical top speed of 400 Mbit/s.[107][108][109] In late-2018, AT&T distributed phone software patches changing network indicators to refer to these networks as such.[106][110]

5G Evolution is entirely unrelated to actual 5G wireless standards; AT&T states that these technologies "serve as the runway to 5G by boosting the existing LTE network and priming it for the future of connectivity",[111] and argued that "the customer doesn't need to think about the exact technology – they only care on the performance and what it enables."[112] AT&T marketing likewise promotes this network with the slogan "The First Step to 5G".[113]

AT&T once again faced allegations that the branding was misleading, because it is merely a rebranding of existing 4G networks in order to ride upon consumer anticipation of actual 5G technology.[114][115] T-Mobile US and Verizon Wireless have deployed similar late-stage upgrades in a larger number of markets than AT&T, but promote them as being upgrades to their 4G LTE service. T-Mobile mocked the branding via a video on Twitter, showing a person applying a sticky note reading "9G" over the LTE indicator on an iPhone, captioned "didn't realize it was this easy, brb updating".[116][117] Technology website The Verge noted that the South American wireless carrier Claro had been using the branding "4.5G" (stylized to make the 4 slightly smaller than the 5) to promote similar upgrades to its LTE service, but felt that this brand was "not as baldfaced a deception as AT&T's 5G E".[118]

In February 2019, Sprint Corporation sued AT&T Mobility for false advertising, presenting evidence that consumers were being misled into believing these services were of equal or higher performance than actual 5G networks. Sprint sought an injunction to halt AT&T's promotion of the network with this trademark.[119] However, the two parties later settled, with AT&T being allowed to continue to promote their network with the trademark.[120]

In May 2020, following complaints by T-Mobile to the National Advertising Division, the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) recommended that AT&T stop using "5G Evolution" or "The First Step to 5G" in advertising, as "the term 'Evolution' is not likely to alert consumers to the fact that the service is not 5G." AT&T stated that it would not use "5G Evolution" or the slogan in future advertising, but that it will still use the 5G E logo, and not remove the indicator from devices.[113]

NASCAR sponsorship conflict

[edit]
The #31 car of Jeff Burton without AT&T sponsorship at Bristol Motor Speedway

Cingular Wireless began its sponsorship of the #31 Chevrolet, owned by Richard Childress Racing, in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in 2002. Two years later, when Nextel Communications (now Sprint Corporation) purchased the naming rights to NASCAR's top division (rebranding the division as the Nextel Cup, and later the Sprint Cup), Cingular and Alltel, sponsor of the #12 Dodge (owned by Penske Racing and driven by Ryan Newman), were allowed to stay as sponsors under a grandfather clause. In early 2007, following its purchase by AT&T, Cingular began a re-branding effort to the AT&T Mobility brand. NASCAR quickly claimed that a clause in their contract with Sprint Nextel (the Viceroy rule) would not allow Cingular to change either the name or brand advertised on the #31 car.

After trying and failing to persuade NASCAR to approve the addition of the AT&T globe logo to the rear of the car, AT&T filed a lawsuit against NASCAR on March 16, 2007. On May 18, AT&T won a preliminary injunction in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta and, following a failed emergency motion for a stay by NASCAR on May 19, re-branded the #31 car, driven by Jeff Burton, in time for the Nextel All-Star Challenge that evening.[121][122] NASCAR was later granted an appeal to be heard on August 2.

On June 17, NASCAR announced it had filed a US$100 million lawsuit against AT&T and would like AT&T and all other rival telecommunications companies out of the sport in 2008.[123]

On August 13, a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit cleared the way for NASCAR to prevent AT&T from featuring its logo on the car. The 11th Circuit dismissed a lower court's ruling that prevented NASCAR from stopping AT&T's plans. The appeals court remanded the case to the district court.[124]

At first practice for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24, the #31 car was colored orange and black, but was bare; that is, associate sponsors appeared, but no primary sponsors were on the car, similar to Formula One cars run in races where tobacco advertising is prohibited. The pit crew wore grey Richard Childress Racing shirts and Burton had a plain orange fire suit with associate sponsors. The car, which carried a "subliminal advertising" scheme, arrived in a black hauler with only the number 31 on the side. NASCAR officials said the car would not have made it through inspection with the AT&T logos.[125] During that weekend, AT&T claimed that two alternate paint schemes proposed by AT&T — one advertising its "go phone" and another with the old Cingular slogan "more bars in more places" that AT&T recently brought back — were rejected by NASCAR. The Go Phone scheme had been used in the past.[126] NASCAR later denied these claims.[127]

On September 7, 2007, a settlement was reached where AT&T Mobility could remain on the #31 car until the end of 2008, but the associate sponsorship of the #29 Nationwide Series Holiday Inn Chevrolet was not affected, because it is in a lower series.[128]

No division of AT&T have sponsored any organization in NASCAR since, even though the Viceroy rule changed from telecommunications companies to beverages when Monster Energy took over sponsorship of the Cup Series in 2017 before NASCAR removed series title sponsorship in the Cup Series altogether, effectively removing any restrictions on which brands can sponsor teams, pursuant to NASCAR approval. In fact, AT&T's parent division had sued a NASCAR team and driver it sponsored, Mike Borkowski, on performance grounds.[129]

Throttling of "unlimited" plans

[edit]

In 2012, AT&T came under scrutiny for throttling the speed of data delivered to consumers with an unlimited data plan. The company has claimed that, despite its claim of network speeds, it is within its legal rights to reduce the speed of data to consumers who reach preset thresholds. In May 2012, Matt Spaccarelli, a truck driver, won a small claims lawsuit against the company for slowing down his service. A Simi Valley, California judge awarded Spaccarelli $850, agreeing that "unlimited" service shouldn't be subject to slowdowns.[130] Additionally, AT&T's user agreement does not permit class-action suits against the company.[131]

In 2014, the FTC sued AT&T for deceptive business practices.[132] In November 2019, AT&T agreed to pay $60 million to settle the suit, which must be distributed as a "partial refund" to customers who signed up for the affected plans prior to 2011. It also agreed to prominently disclose any throttling restrictions it imposes on its wireless plans in the future.[133]

Mobility Administrative Fee

[edit]

In May 2013, AT&T added a 61 cent "Mobility Administrative Fee" per-month per-line to all of its wireless postpaid lines, including lines still under service contract. The fee appears "below the line" making it appear like a tax at the bottom of a customer's phone bill. This fee is thought to bring more than a half-billion dollars in a year for AT&T, which claims the fee is for covering the cost of cell sites and maintenance.[134] In June 2018, AT&T raised the administrative fee to $1.99 from 76 cents per-line.[135]

Illegal location data sharing

[edit]

In April 2024, AT&T was fined $57 million by the FCC for illegally sharing access to customers' real-time location data.[136] In response, AT&T criticized the FCC's decision, claiming it lacked "both legal and factual merit."[136]

Other AT&T’s subsidiaries/brands

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

AT&T Mobility

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

AT&T Mobility LLC is the primary of Inc., delivering nationwide high-speed voice and data services to consumer, business, and wholesale subscribers throughout the .
Originating from the pioneering launch of commercial cellular telephone service on October 13, 1983, in , AT&T Mobility evolved through mergers, including the acquisition of AT&T Wireless by Cingular Wireless in 2004 and subsequent rebranding to AT&T Mobility in 2007 following AT&T's corporate restructuring.
As of 2025, it operates the largest in by coverage, holding approximately 29% of the U.S. market share and serving over 110 million postpaid phone subscribers, with ongoing expansions in and fiber integration driving subscriber growth.
Notable achievements include leading mid-band deployment and innovations in mobile connectivity that have transformed consumer and enterprise communications, though the company has encountered controversies such as a 2024 exposing call records of nearly all customers and regulatory fines for misleading data practices and throttling.

Company Overview

Formation and Ownership

AT&T Mobility traces its origins to Cingular Wireless LLC, established in April 2000 as a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corporation to consolidate their wireless operations. Initially, SBC held a 60% stake while BellSouth owned 40%, enabling Cingular to launch as a unified brand serving over 20 million customers across multiple regions. In February 2004, Cingular announced its $41 billion acquisition of Inc., a transaction approved by regulators and completed on , 2004, which expanded its subscriber base to approximately 46 million and positioned it as the largest U.S. wireless provider at the time. This merger integrated AT&T Wireless's national footprint, including advanced EDGE network capabilities, into Cingular's primarily regional infrastructure. Subsequent corporate consolidations solidified AT&T Mobility's structure. SBC Communications acquired AT&T Corp. for $16 billion, closing on November 18, 2005, after which SBC rebranded as AT&T Inc. AT&T Inc. then purchased BellSouth for $86 billion, finalized on December 29, 2006, granting it 100% ownership of Cingular. Cingular was rebranded as AT&T Mobility starting in January 2007, with the transition completing by mid-year. AT&T Mobility has since operated as a wholly owned of Inc., with no changes to this ownership structure as of 2025.

Market Position and Scale

AT&T Mobility ranks as one of the three leading providers in the United States, alongside Verizon and , collectively controlling the majority of the market. As of early 2025, T-Mobile held a 35% , Verizon 34%, with AT&T maintaining a substantial position among the dominant carriers in a sector characterized by high subscriber penetration and maturing growth. In 2023, AT&T's share stood at 32.8%, reflecting its established scale despite competitive pressures from spectrum auctions and deployments that have enabled rivals' gains. The division's scale is evidenced by its revenue generation, with wireless service revenues reaching $68.04 billion in 2024, comprising 55.62% of Inc.'s total revenues and underscoring mobility as the core driver. In the third quarter of 2025, mobility revenues totaled $21.71 billion, supported by postpaid phone growth and equipment sales, though slightly below analyst expectations. Subscriber metrics further highlight its position: added 405,000 net postpaid phone subscribers in Q3 2025, exceeding forecasts and indicating sustained demand for bundled services amid a saturated U.S. market of approximately 579 million total connections as of 2024. AT&T's network infrastructure supports broad coverage, with ongoing investments in enabling convergence with fiber broadband, where over 41% of fiber households also subscribe to mobility services as of Q3 2025. This integration bolsters retention in a competitive landscape, where postpaid churn remained low at 0.92% for the quarter.

Historical Development

Origins in Regional Bell Operating Companies

Following the divestiture of mandated by a 1982 antitrust and effective January 1, 1984, the was restructured into seven independent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), each responsible for local telephone service in designated regions. These RBOCs, including Southwestern Bell Corporation and BellSouth Corporation, received allocations of cellular spectrum licenses from the (FCC), which had reserved one of two available licenses in each market for incumbent wireline telephone companies to facilitate rapid deployment of cellular technology. This allocation positioned the RBOCs as early pioneers in commercial cellular service, leveraging their existing wireline infrastructure for mobile telephony rollout. Southwestern Bell Corporation, operating primarily in the South Central and Southwestern United States, established Mobile Systems as its wireless division shortly after the divestiture. This entity traced its roots to the pre-divestiture Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) experiments but focused post-1984 on deploying non-wireline cellular networks under FCC licenses granted to local operating companies. By the late 1980s, Mobile Systems had expanded service in major markets like and , initially offering analog AMPS-based service to business and affluent customers. Similarly, Corporation, serving the Southeast, launched Mobility in March 1984 with an initial cellular system in , through a that quickly scaled to cover and other regional hubs. Mobility emphasized enterprise solutions and gradually built out coverage across nine states, investing heavily in infrastructure to compete with emerging non-wireline carriers. These RBOC wireless operations formed the foundational assets of what became AT&T Mobility. In April 2000, SBC Communications Inc.—the successor to after acquisitions of and —and Corporation merged their cellular businesses into Cingular Wireless LLC, a 60/40 (SBC majority-owned) headquartered in . This consolidation created the second-largest U.S. provider at the time, with over 11 million subscribers and nationwide capabilities built on the RBOCs' complementary regional footprints. Cingular's formation marked a strategic pivot by the RBOCs toward integrated services, distinct from the legacy long-distance focus of the divested . Subsequent SBC-led restructurings, including the 2005 acquisition of and 2006 purchase of , unified these RBOC-originated assets under the AT&T brand, rebranding Cingular to AT&T Mobility in 2007.

Cingular Wireless Formation and Expansion

Cingular Wireless LLC was formed on October 10, 2000, as a through a between SBC Communications Inc., holding a 60% ownership stake, and BellSouth Corporation, with 40%. This structure consolidated the separate wireless subsidiaries of SBC and BellSouth—Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems and BellSouth Mobility—which had originated as cellular operations licensed to the Regional Bell Operating Companies after the 1984 AT&T divestiture. The venture's creation enabled unified branding and operational efficiencies across overlapping service areas in the southeastern and , initially targeting major metropolitan markets with analog-to-digital network migrations. The Cingular name derived from a combination of "cellular" and the parent companies' regional identities, reflecting a strategy to build a national-scale competitor in an industry marked by rapid consolidation and technological shifts toward digital standards like TDMA and emerging GSM. Post-formation, Cingular prioritized network expansion, leveraging the combined spectrum holdings and infrastructure of its parents to cover approximately 90% of the U.S. population with digital services by the early 2000s. In 2001, it established the GSM Fabric joint venture with T-Mobile USA to share GSM infrastructure costs in the New York City metropolitan area, facilitating efficient rollout of compatible technology amid spectrum constraints. Expansion efforts included aggressive subscriber acquisition through bundled wireline-wireless offerings and marketing campaigns emphasizing reliability, such as the "fewer dropped calls" introduced in 2002. By 2003, Cingular operated the largest digital voice and data network in the nation, serving millions of customers across 49 states with enhanced data capabilities via GPRS. These initiatives drove steady gains in a competitive landscape dominated by Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS, positioning Cingular as a leading provider before further scale via major acquisitions. The joint venture's success stemmed from cost synergies—estimated at hundreds of millions annually—and integrated retail channels, though it faced challenges from uneven regional coverage and the need for ongoing capital investments in 3G precursors.

AT&T Wireless Merger and Rebranding

On February 17, 2004, Cingular Wireless LLC, a between SBC Communications and Corporation, announced an agreement to acquire , Inc., in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $41 billion, or $15 per share. The deal aimed to create the largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers, combining Cingular's roughly 25 million customers with AT&T Wireless's 22 million. The merger agreement included provisions for Cingular to assume AT&T Wireless's debt and preferred stock obligations, totaling about $8 billion. The acquisition faced regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice and over potential market concentration, particularly in spectrum holdings and regional overlaps. After divestitures of certain assets in overlapping markets, the transaction closed on , , with Cingular emerging as the dominant player holding over 46 million subscribers nationwide. efforts focused on network unification, migrating Wireless customers to Cingular's GSM-based infrastructure while phasing out the tdma and technologies, which required significant estimated at $2-3 billion annually. Subsequent corporate restructurings paved the way for . In November 2005, SBC Communications completed its $16 billion acquisition of and adopted the name for the combined entity. On March 5, 2006, announced its $67 billion purchase of , which closed on December 29, 2006, granting full ownership of Cingular by eliminating the structure. In January 2007, shortly after securing sole ownership, AT&T initiated the rebranding of Cingular to , restoring the AT&T name to wireless services to leverage from the legacy wireline operations while distinguishing it from the divested AT&T Wireless entity. The transition began with advertising campaigns on January 15, 2007, and accelerated through 2007, involving updates to over 2,200 retail stores, millions of handsets, and marketing materials at a reported cost exceeding $1 billion. By mid-2007, the Cingular brand was largely retired, with positioned as the unified wireless subsidiary offering integrated voice, data, and emerging services. Notably, Apple initially negotiated the exclusive U.S. carrier deal for the iPhone with Cingular Wireless, which transitioned to AT&T Mobility following the 2007 rebranding, contributing to a pivotal milestone in the company's history.

Acquisitions, Divestitures, and Failed Deals

In 2007, AT&T Mobility acquired Dobson Communications Corporation, a rural wireless operator serving approximately 2.7 million subscribers across 40 states, for $2.8 billion in cash plus the assumption of $2.3 billion in debt, totaling about $5.1 billion. The deal, announced on June 29 and completed on November 16, aimed to enhance AT&T's rural coverage and integrate Dobson's network with its own, while requiring divestitures of certain assets in , , and other markets to preserve competition, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Justice. AT&T Mobility followed with the acquisition of Centennial Communications Corp. in 2009, purchasing the rural wireline and wireless provider for $944 million in cash, or $8.50 per share, in a transaction announced on November 7, 2008, and closed on November 6, 2009. This expanded AT&T's footprint in 13 states, particularly in the Southeast and Midwest, adding wireless operations with about 315,000 subscribers; however, the Department of Justice required divestitures of overlapping assets in eight Louisiana and Mississippi markets to mitigate anticompetitive effects. A major failed deal occurred in 2011 when announced its intent to acquire USA from for $39 billion on March 20, aiming to combine the second- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless carriers to bolster network capacity amid iPhone demand. The proposal faced intense regulatory scrutiny, with the U.S. Department of Justice filing an antitrust lawsuit on to block it, citing reduced competition, higher prices, and fewer choices for consumers, followed by FCC opposition. abandoned the bid on December 19, paying a $4 billion breakup fee to , as the merger risked violating horizontal merger guidelines by concentrating over 40% of the national wireless market. AT&T Mobility has pursued few outright divestitures independent of acquisition conditions, focusing instead on spectrum optimization and ; for instance, no large-scale asset sales have materially altered its core operations, though minor spectrum returns or swaps have occurred in FCC auctions to meet buildout requirements.

Evolution from to Present

Following the failed attempt to acquire in 2011, AT&T Mobility prioritized organic network expansion and spectrum accumulation to bolster its 4G LTE capabilities. In , the company doubled its LTE coverage to reach more than 150 million people across the , investing nearly $20 billion in wired and infrastructure upgrades. That year, AT&T acquired NextWave Wireless for up to $600 million primarily to secure Wireless Communications Service (WCS) spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band, enabling further LTE enhancements despite regulatory hurdles for WCS compatibility. These efforts supported growing mobile data demand, with LTE markets expanding from 38 in early to additional deployments throughout the year. In 2014, AT&T expanded its prepaid segment by acquiring , operator of , for $1.19 billion, a deal approved by the FCC with conditions including divestitures of certain spectrum assets. The acquisition integrated Cricket's CDMA-based network onto AT&T's /LTE infrastructure over 12-18 months, re-launching Cricket as AT&T's flagship prepaid brand and broadening access to affordable mobile services for underserved markets. This move contributed to steady subscriber growth, with mobility service revenues rising consistently thereafter. AT&T Mobility initiated its 5G deployment on December 21, 2018, launching mobile service in 12 U.S. cities using low- and mid-band , followed by millimeter-wave 5G+ rollout starting March 6, 2020, in select areas. By 2025, low-band coverage extended to over 320 million people in more than 27,300 cities and towns. To support advanced features, AT&T acquired FiberTower in 2017 for 24 and 39 GHz assets targeted at high-capacity urban deployments. In 2025, the company agreed to purchase additional low- and mid-band licenses from for approximately $23 billion, adding about 50 MHz on average across nearly 400 U.S. markets to enhance capacity. Network modernization accelerated in the mid-2020s, with deploying standalone (SA) 5G nationwide by October 8, 2025, enabling cloud-native core operations and future innovations like network slicing. Partnerships, such as with announced in September 2025, focused on (RAN) upgrades and operational efficiency. Subscriber metrics reflected sustained growth: postpaid phone subscribers reached 73.4 million by Q2 2025, with 401,000 net additions that quarter, followed by 405,000 in Q3. Mobility revenues increased 6.7% year-over-year in Q2 2025, driven by postpaid ARPU gains and service expansion, aligning with 's strategic refocus on and after divesting non-core media assets.

Key Milestones in the 2020s

In 2021, AT&T Mobility advanced its deployment strategy, prioritizing midband spectrum to expand coverage for consumers, businesses, and , building on initial low-band launches from 2020. This included commitments to enhance network reliability and integrate with existing 4G LTE infrastructure for broader accessibility. By 2023, AT&T Mobility achieved significant subscriber growth, adding over 1.7 million postpaid phone net adds, fueled by competitive offerings and pricing strategies that captured market share from rivals. The company also initiated Open RAN trials to diversify equipment suppliers and reduce dependency on traditional vendors, marking a step toward cost efficiencies in network upgrades. A major setback occurred on February 22, 2024, when a nationwide outage disrupted service for tens of millions of customers across the U.S. for up to 12 hours, stemming from an internal software configuration during a network expansion process rather than external factors like cyberattacks. Later that year, in , hackers accessed six months of call and text metadata for nearly all cellular customers, though no content or location data was compromised; disclosed the breach in and cooperated with . In May 2024, AT&T Mobility signed a commercial agreement with to integrate satellite-based cellular service, enabling direct-to-device connectivity for unmodified smartphones and extending coverage to remote areas without terrestrial infrastructure. By October 8, 2025, the division rolled out its Standalone (SA) network nationwide, decoupling it from 4G LTE cores to support advanced capabilities like low-latency slicing and improved efficiency for millions of users. This milestone followed years of hybrid non-standalone builds and positioned AT&T to compete more directly with T-Mobile's earlier SA leadership.

Core Services and Products

Postpaid and Prepaid Wireless Plans

AT&T Mobility's postpaid wireless plans require a credit check and involve billing after service usage, providing access to the carrier's full network priority and additional perks such as device installment financing and frequent upgrade options. As of 2025, the primary offerings are unlimited plans, including Unlimited Starter SL at $65.99 per month for a single line (with discounts to $35.99 per line for four lines), featuring 5GB of high-speed hotspot and unlimited talk and text; Unlimited Extra EL at $75.99 per month single line, with 75GB premium before potential deprioritization; and Unlimited Premium PL at $85.99 per month, offering unlimited premium , 50GB hotspot, and enhanced international features like roaming in 20 Latin American countries. Specialized postpaid plans, such as the AT&T 55+ plan introduced in June 2025, provide unlimited service for $40 per month on one line or $35 per line for two, targeting seniors with simplified pricing but limited to domestic usage. These plans generally include access where available and bundle options for streaming services, though premium allowances vary to manage . In contrast, AT&T Prepaid plans operate on a pay-in-advance model without contracts or credit checks, appealing to users seeking flexibility and lower upfront costs, though they often feature lower data priority during congestion compared to postpaid equivalents. Standard prepaid tiers as of 2025 include a $30 monthly plan with 5GB high-speed data, suitable for light users; a $40 plan with 15GB; and unlimited options starting at $50 per month, with annual payments reducing effective costs to $20 per month for unlimited data over 12 months at $240 upfront. Prepaid unlimited plans provide 5G access and hotspot data (typically 5-10GB high-speed), but lack the extensive international roaming and device trade-in promotions of postpaid service; however, they support multi-month discounts and family plan pooling for up to 10 lines. AT&T supports eSIM activation for both prepaid and postpaid plans. Prepaid eSIM plans require no contract or credit check, making them suitable for new activations or short-term use, while postpaid eSIM plans require a credit check, offer multi-line family discounts, and include unlimited talk, text, and data in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Plan TypeExample Pricing (Single Line, Monthly)Key FeaturesLimitations
Postpaid Unlimited Starter$65.99Unlimited /talk/text, 5GB hotspot, Deprioritization after premium
Postpaid Unlimited Premium$85.99Unlimited premium , 50GB hotspot, international Higher cost
Prepaid 5GB$305GB high-speed , unlimited talk/textNo hotspot, lower priority
Prepaid Unlimited (Monthly)$50Unlimited , , basic hotspotFewer perks, potential deprioritization
This table illustrates core differences, with postpaid emphasizing reliability and extras for heavy users, while prepaid prioritizes affordability for budget-conscious customers without long-term commitments. Both categories leverage AT&T's nationwide network, but postpaid subscribers benefit from higher average speeds due to priority access during peak times.

Advanced Features and Bundling Options

AT&T Mobility's advanced wireless features emphasize enhanced security, network optimization, and flexible data usage across its unlimited plans. All unlimited plans include AT&T ActiveArmor advanced mobile security, a free app providing spam blocking, call screening, and identity monitoring to protect against threats like and data breaches. These plans also grant access to AT&T , supporting higher speeds and lower latency for applications such as and , with mid-band and mmWave spectrum enabling peak download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps in select urban areas as of 2025. Additional features encompass unlimited hotspot data (capped at varying speeds per plan tier, e.g., 100 GB of premium data before reduction to 5 Mbps on higher-end options) and seamless integration with for quick device activation without physical cards. The Unlimited Your Way program allows customization per line within a family account, enabling mix-and-match selections such as Unlimited Starter SL for basic needs (with access and basic hotspot) or premium tiers like Unlimited Extra EL for reduced video streaming resolution to conserve while maintaining priority network access during congestion. International roaming is standardized across plans, offering unlimited talk, text, and high-speed in the U.S., , and without extra fees, though speeds may after 22 GB of usage per line in to manage network load. Bundling options integrate AT&T Mobility services with home and entertainment for cost savings, targeting multi-service households. The All in One bundle provides 20% monthly discounts on either or AT&T Fiber bills when both are subscribed, alongside incentives like up to $800 in bill credits for switching providers and annual free phone upgrades for three years on eligible plans. plans can pair with or AT&T TV packages starting at $69.99 per month for entry-level entertainment, yielding combined discounts and unified billing, though premium sports tiers exceed $139.99 monthly before bundling reductions. Multi-line family plans offer progressive discounts, with four unlimited lines available for as low as $25 per line monthly under promotional deals for existing internet customers, saving over $800 annually compared to standalone pricing. Age-specific bundles, such as the 55+ Unlimited plan at $40 monthly for one line or $35 per line for two (including home for $99 total on dual lines), further reduce costs while retaining core features like and ActiveArmor. These options prioritize empirical cost efficiencies from converged services, though actual savings depend on usage and eligibility, with no data caps on bundled fiber to support high-demand wireless offloading via .

Device Ecosystem and Financing

AT&T Mobility maintains a broad device ecosystem encompassing smartphones, tablets, and wearables compatible with its GSM-based network, supporting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) options for most unlocked, certified models from leading manufacturers. AT&T permits device unlocking for eligible models, allowing non-customers to submit unlock requests—including for iPhones—through its official online portal. The carrier sells and certifies devices from brands including Apple (iPhone 6 and newer), series), series), , and others such as and Alcatel, ensuring compatibility through rigorous testing for network bands like LTE and . Tablets approved include Apple models from the 3rd generation onward and various Android variants, while wearables feature smartwatches from Apple, , and , often bundled with cellular connectivity for independent operation. This ecosystem emphasizes integration with AT&T's services, such as activation for seamless setup, though compatibility requires devices supporting specific frequency bands to avoid coverage gaps. Financing options center on the Installment Plan, which spreads device costs over 36 months at 0% APR for qualified customers, with payments ranging from approximately $23 to $59 monthly depending on the device price and credit approval. AT&T's standard return policy for wireless devices, including those on installment plans, permits returns within 14 days of purchase or receipt for a full refund, canceling the installment agreement with no further payments owed. After 14 days, returns for refund or cancellation of the installment plan are generally not permitted, even in cases of financial hardship; exceptions apply only for defective devices under warranty, offering replacement or repair rather than refund. For financial hardship, AT&T may provide payment arrangements or other assistance programs, but the device balance remains owed. For early upgrades, the Next Up program adds a $6 monthly , allowing trade-in eligibility after 12 payments on a standard plan, while the enhanced Next Up Anytime option, introduced in 2024 for an additional $10 per month, permits upgrades after just one-third of the device cost is paid (typically 12 months) and can be applied up to three times annually without covering the remaining balance. These plans often pair with trade-in credits—up to $1,000 or more for eligible devices—where preparation requires backing up data, performing a factory reset to wipe the device's memory, removing the physical SIM card and any SD card, deleting any eSIM profile if applicable, and double-checking that no personal data remains to protect personal information before submission; and promotional deals, such as bill credits reducing effective costs, though full payoff or satisfaction of upgrade terms is required to avoid early termination fees on the financed balance. Device financing ties into broader promotions, including zero-down offers for well-qualified buyers, fostering through frequent access to new hardware amid rapid technological cycles.

Network Technology and Infrastructure

Evolution of Wireless Standards

AT&T Mobility's network originated with analog Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) in the 1980s, transitioning to digital standards in the early 2000s with the implementation of the first /GPRS network in 2000, marking the shift to capabilities for voice and basic data services. This adoption built on earlier TDMA systems used by Wireless predecessors, enabling global compatibility and paving the way for enhanced packet data via GPRS and later EDGE enhancements, though the full 2G network was phased out by December 2016 to reallocate spectrum for advanced technologies. The rollout of began in July 2004, with initial deployments in , Phoenix, , and , offering broadband-like data speeds up to 384 kbps initially and supporting early mobile and multimedia services. Subsequent upgrades to HSPA and HSPA+ in the late improved downlink speeds to over 20 Mbps in select areas, which AT&T marketed as "4G" prior to true LTE availability, though these remained evolutions of rather than a distinct generational leap; the network was fully discontinued on February 22, 2022, to prioritize and capacity. AT&T launched its 4G LTE network on September 18, 2011, starting in five metropolitan areas—, , , , and —with expansion to 15 additional markets by year-end and broader coverage reaching over 100 million people by mid-2012. By June 2013, LTE was available in 22 more markets, with the carrier targeting 300 million people covered by the end of 2014 through aggressive spectrum refarming and site upgrades, delivering peak speeds up to 100 Mbps and forming the backbone for modern data demands. True deployment commenced on December 21, 2018, with the first mobile service in the U.S. using sub-6 GHz spectrum for access, evolving to consumer mobile nationwide by 2020 across low-band frequencies covering over 320 million people. Mid-band C-band additions in 2022 enhanced urban capacity, while standalone (SA) architecture—enabling full network slicing and —was rolled out nationwide to millions of customers by October 2025, transitioning from non-standalone reliance on LTE core for improved latency under 10 ms and support for IoT and enterprise applications. committed to maintaining LTE through at least 2027 as a fallback during maturation.

Spectrum Assets and Frequency Bands

AT&T Mobility operates a spectrum portfolio comprising low-band frequencies below 1 GHz for extensive coverage and indoor penetration, mid-band between 1 and 6 GHz for balanced capacity and range in deployments, and high-band millimeter wave above 24 GHz for ultra-high-speed applications in dense urban areas. These assets support both legacy LTE and networks, with low- and mid-band prioritized for nationwide rollout due to superior propagation characteristics compared to high-band limitations. As of 2025, AT&T's holdings emphasize low-band depth for reliability, supplemented by mid-band acquisitions to enhance throughput, though it trails competitors in total mid-band megahertz in some markets prior to recent deals. In low-band, AT&T utilizes the 600 MHz range (3GPP band n71) for supplemental coverage 5G, initially acquired via FCC Auction 103 in 2020 with licenses providing up to 40 MHz in select areas; an additional approximately 20 MHz nationwide is pending acquisition from , announced August 26, 2025, to bolster rural and indoor reach across nearly all U.S. markets. The 700 MHz block (bands 12 and 17) forms the core LTE coverage foundation, repurposed for 5G standalone in compatible devices, with holdings derived from early FCC auctions and reallocations yielding 10-20 MHz per market for broad propagation. Legacy 850 MHz Cellular spectrum (band n5) further anchors low-band 5G, offering 10-15 MHz carriers for penetration in suburban and urban fringes, inherited from pre-merger assets like . Mid-band assets provide the primary capacity for AT&T's service, including AWS bands (1.7-2.1 GHz, n66) with 20-45 MHz from FCC Auctions 66, 73, and 97, enabling efficient urban deployment; PCS spectrum (1.9 GHz, n2) adds 20-60 MHz via historical auctions for high-capacity overlays. C-band (3.7-3.98 GHz, n77) contributes up to 100 MHz in major markets from FCC Auction 107 in 2021, deployed since 2022 for mid-band covering over 200 million people by balancing speed and coverage. The pending deal adds ~30 MHz at 3.45 GHz nationwide, compatible with existing mid-band infrastructure for further 5G enhancement across 400 markets. High-band holdings are limited to mmWave, primarily 39 GHz (band n260) with 400-800 MHz blocks acquired through FCC auctions like 103 and 105, focused on access and enterprise in high-density zones such as stadiums, though deployment lags due to propagation challenges and equipment costs.
Frequency Range3GPP BandSpectrum TypeKey Holdings and Notes
617-652 MHz (uplink), 663-698 MHz (downlink)n71Low-band~20-40 MHz; from FCC Auction 103 (2020); +20 MHz pending from (2025) for coverage.
698-716 / 728-746 MHz (A/B blocks), etc.12/17 (LTE/5G)Low-band10-20 MHz per market; early FCC reallocations for primary coverage.
824-849 / 869-894 MHzn5Low-band10-15 MHz; legacy Cellular for 5G penetration.
1710-1755 / 2110-2155 MHzn66Mid-band20-45 MHz; AWS auctions (2006-2015) for urban capacity.
1850-1915 / 1930-1995 MHzn2Mid-band20-60 MHz; PCS auctions for high-density .
3700-3980 MHzn77Mid-bandUp to 100 MHz; C-band Auction 107 (2021) for + in 200M+ people.
~3.45 GHz(CBRS-adjacent)Mid-band~30 MHz pending; acquisition (2025) for nationwide expansion.
37-40 GHzn260High-band (mmWave)400-800 MHz; FCC mmWave auctions for peak speeds in select areas.

Coverage, Capacity, and Reliability Metrics

AT&T Mobility's provides coverage to over 99% of the U.S. based on licensed areas, encompassing both urban and rural regions with a focus on low-band for broad reach. As of September 2025, the network spans more geographic area than competitors, including 300,000 additional square miles compared to T-Mobile's footprint, contributing to its edge in overall accessibility. Independent testing by RootMetrics in the first half of 2025 confirmed AT&T's leadership in nationwide coverage consistency, particularly in combined / performance across diverse terrains. For specifically, AT&T achieved nationwide RedCap coverage by July 2025, serving more than 200 million points, though mid-band deployment remains denser in urban zones than rural ones. Network capacity metrics highlight AT&T's emphasis on high-throughput performance, with RootMetrics awarding it the fastest nationally in the first half of 2025 based on drive tests measuring download speeds averaging over those of Verizon and in overall scenarios. Ookla's Speedtest data corroborated this, naming AT&T's mobile network the quickest in the nation as of September 2025, with particular strength in 5th percentile speeds that indicate consistent performance under load. However, Opensignal's June 2025 report noted 's lead in pure download speeds, attributing AT&T's capacity advantages to its extensive low- and mid-band spectrum holdings that prioritize reliable volume over peak bursts. Capacity expansion efforts, including fiber backhaul integration, have supported handling peak data demands, with no widespread congestion reported in major metrics for 2025. Reliability stands out in empirical assessments, where AT&T earned RootMetrics' Most Reliable Wireless Network award for the first half of 2025, excelling in call success rates, data session stability, and minimal dropped connections across tests. Opensignal measured AT&T's network availability at 99.6% in June 2025, edging out Verizon's 99.5% by tracking the proportion of time users could connect successfully. While a February 2024 outage affected millions due to a software fault in a backbone router—leading to an FCC investigation into "sunny day" failure safeguards—subsequent metrics show resilience, with RootMetrics noting fewer interruptions than peers in 2025 drive tests. J.D. Power's 2025 surveys further positioned AT&T as a top choice for business reliability, citing its broader rural coverage as a factor in lower perceived downtime.
Metric CategoryKey 1H 2025 RootMetrics Awards for Competitor Comparison
Overall PerformanceNational RootScore leaderOutperformed Verizon and
ReliabilityMost Reliable NetworkSuperior call/text/video success
SpeedFastest Wireless NetworkHigher median downloads
Availability (, June 2025)99.6% connection timeSlightly ahead of Verizon (99.5%)
These figures derive from standardized drive and crowdsourced testing, emphasizing real-world causation from infrastructure density over promotional claims.

Backhaul, Fiber Integration, and AI Enhancements

AT&T Mobility has increasingly relied on fiber-optic infrastructure to upgrade its mobile backhaul, transitioning from legacy microwave systems to high-capacity fiber connections that support traffic demands. In areas with AT&T's own fiber footprint, the company deploys fiber-to-the-tower backhaul for enhanced throughput and reduced latency, enabling applications like access. Where proprietary fiber is unavailable, AT&T has partnered with providers such as , utilizing the latter's fiber network for / backhaul across 25 states as of February 2023, accelerating deployment without extensive greenfield builds. This strategy aligns with broader fiber expansion goals, targeting 50 million locations passed by fiber to bolster both mobile backhaul and wireline services. Fiber integration extends to converged architectures, exemplified by the October 30, 2024, launch of an industry-first and integrated gateway for business customers, which merges with failover for uninterrupted connectivity. AT&T employs Open Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) technology to enable high-speed, disaggregated optical transport, supporting backhaul and broadband with scalable capacity. Complementary backhaul innovations include testing of Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) since 2020, with full-duplex trials in the 28 GHz band by 2022 to mitigate self-interference and expand coverage in dense urban environments. These efforts have culminated in network rebuilds emphasizing densification, which by 2025 improves end-user latency and supports midband rollout. AI enhancements optimize backhaul and fiber operations through and . AT&T's Geo Modeler, a generative AI system deployed nationwide by October 2025, leverages and a Network Foundation Model to simulate coverage scenarios, proactively reroute traffic, and auto-heal disruptions in seconds, enhancing resilience for fiber-integrated networks. This approach forecasts congestion on backhaul links and dynamically adjusts resources, reducing outage impacts. Additional tools like "Ask AT&T," a generative AI platform introduced in July 2025, streamline queries for fiber and wireless integration, while algorithms handle traffic forecasting and across the . Overall, these AI applications enable real-time optimization, minimizing manual interventions and supporting scalable 5G Standalone (SA) evolution.

Marketing and Business Strategies

Major Advertising Campaigns

AT&T Mobility's early post-rebranding advertising, following the 2006 merger with Cingular Wireless, shifted from Cingular's "Raising the bar" slogan to "Your world. Delivered." to unify branding under . This was quickly supplemented by the "More bars in more places" campaign launched around 2007, which highlighted expanded network coverage after integrating Wireless's assets, featuring visuals of signal strength icons in diverse locations. The slogan faced competitive backlash, including ads from Verizon questioning its verifiability, leading AT&T to pivot amid regulatory scrutiny over dropped call claims. In April 2010, AT&T introduced the "Rethink Possible" corporate campaign, extending to mobility services to emphasize innovative network capabilities and device integration, with ads showcasing futuristic applications like remote and enhanced connectivity. This , developed by , ran for four years, supporting Mobility's push into 4G LTE while avoiding direct competitor attacks in favor of aspirational messaging. The "Mobilizing Your World" platform debuted in April 2014, replacing "Rethink Possible" specifically for mobility to underscore real-world connectivity impacts, including tools and global roaming, with launch spots featuring harmonious global imagery and a 60-second ad produced by . By 2016, it evolved into sub-campaigns like "Network," partnering with brands such as to demonstrate practical applications like inventory management via mobile data. A prominent character-driven effort began in 2013 with the "It's not complicated" series featuring actress as fictional store representative Lily Adams, who demystified wireless plans and features in retail scenarios, evolving to cover upgrades by 2020 after a brief hiatus. Recent mobility-focused ads, such as the 2023 "Football Anywhere" spot promoting streaming and the October 2025 campaign countering T-Mobile's claims on coverage reliability, continue emphasizing empirical network superiority through direct comparisons.

Device Partnerships and Exclusives

AT&T Mobility forged a pivotal exclusive partnership with Apple in January 2007, securing five-year U.S. distribution rights for the iPhone, which enabled the device's launch on its network on June 29, 2007. This agreement allowed the iPhone to feature unrestricted full web browsing, a capability AT&T supported via its EDGE network upgrades, distinguishing it from carrier-limited alternatives and driving subscriber growth for both companies. The exclusivity ended around 2011, opening iPhone sales to competitors like Verizon. Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, AT&T pursued additional smartphone exclusives to bolster differentiation amid fierce competition, including deals for Lumia Windows phones and HTC models like the One SV, often involving carrier-subsidized pricing tied to service contracts. A notable attempt in 2018 involved , where AT&T planned to exclusively sell the but canceled the deal days before CES due to unspecified concerns, later attributed to U.S. government scrutiny over security risks. In recent years, AT&T has shifted toward early-market access and limited exclusives rather than broad lock-ins, reflecting industry trends toward unlocked devices and bring-your-own-device compatibility. With Samsung, AT&T frequently serves as a launch partner for Galaxy flagships; for example, it offered the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 immediately upon their July 2024 unveiling, bundled with 5G plans and trade-in credits up to $1,000. In a carrier-specific exclusive, AT&T became the sole U.S. launch partner for the Samsung Galaxy Ring smart ring in July 2024, available initially in select stores and online with financing starting at $10 monthly. AT&T maintains ongoing collaborations with for devices, prioritizing promotions like up to $1,050 trade-in rebates for the 10 series launched in 2025, alongside integration of Pixel-exclusive AI tools such as Gemini for enhanced network features. These partnerships emphasize customized software optimizations, like AT&T-specific provisioning and mmWave support, but avoid full hardware exclusivity, allowing Pixels to launch simultaneously across carriers. Overall, such arrangements have supported AT&T's strategy of combining device incentives with unlimited data plans to retain postpaid subscribers, though critics note they historically encouraged carrier locking to recoup subsidies.

Sponsorships and Promotional Ties

AT&T Mobility, as the wireless division of , utilizes sponsorships in sports and events to highlight its network capabilities, particularly 5G connectivity and mobile innovations, through targeted activations and branding. These partnerships often integrate promotional elements like interactive tech demos and exclusive offers to drive consumer engagement and subscriber acquisition. A key ongoing sponsorship is AT&T's role as an NCAA Corporate Champion, initiated in 2001 and renewed via a multi-year agreement announced on October 6, 2025, encompassing support for major events such as March Madness, the Men's and Women's Final Fours, and playoffs through the 2024-2025 . Mobility-specific promotions within this include experiential activations like the AT&T 5G Helmet at the 2024 in , where fans interacted with features demonstrating low-latency wireless performance for deaf and hard-of-hearing users via haptic feedback. In , secured a multi-year deal on March 31, 2025, naming it the official connectivity partner of the (NWSL), including sponsorship of the Player of the Week award and activations at events like the NWSL Championship. This agreement emphasizes 5G-enabled content series showcasing player performances, aligning with Mobility's focus on reliable mobile data for live streaming and fan engagement. AT&T Mobility benefits from a 2023 multiyear NBA and WNBA sponsorship, valued at an estimated $30 million annually, designating AT&T as the official Innovation partner for events including All-Star games and . The deal promotes wireless features through in-arena branding and app integrations, boosting familiarity with Mobility's high-speed services among audiences. Other promotional ties include an expanded partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, incorporating AT&T branding on Formula 1 team cars for the first time, which underscores parallels between racing precision and wireless network reliability. Historically, Mobility maintained NASCAR sponsorships, such as those tied to driver at the 2007 Bristol August race, though recent emphases have pivoted to league-wide sports deals over individual team endorsements.

Operational and Financial Performance

AT&T Mobility's postpaid subscriber base has shown consistent growth, driven primarily by net additions in high-value phone accounts. In 2023, the segment added over 1.7 million postpaid phone subscribers annually. This trend continued into 2025, with quarterly postpaid phone net additions reaching 401,000 in Q2 and 405,000 in Q3, elevating the total postpaid phone subscriber count to approximately 73.8 million by the end of Q3 2025. In contrast, prepaid phone subscribers have experienced net losses, such as 83,000 in Q3 2025, reflecting competitive pressures and shifts toward postpaid plans with higher ARPU. Overall wireless net additions, including connected devices, totaled 748,000 in Q3 2025, though AT&T discontinued aggregating connected devices into total subscriber figures starting in 2024 to align with industry reporting standards. Revenue trends in the mobility segment have been positive, with annual service revenues increasing from approximately $54 billion in to $63 billion in , a cumulative growth of over $9 billion attributable to subscriber expansions and ARPU improvements from premium plans and add-on services. In 2025, mobility revenues rose year-over-year by 4.7% in Q1, 6.7% in Q2, and 3.1% in Q3, comprising service revenue growth of 4.1%, 3.5%, and 2.3% respectively, alongside equipment sales increases from device upgrades. For Q3 2025 specifically, mobility service revenues reached $16.9 billion, while equipment revenues hit $4.8 billion, though postpaid phone ARPU dipped 0.8% to $56.64 amid elevated churn of 0.92% compared to 0.78% in Q3 . These patterns indicate resilience in core postpaid growth offsetting prepaid erosion, with revenue expansion supported by operational efficiencies and gains in connectivity, though rising churn in late 2025 signals potential competitive intensification. anticipates mobility service revenue growth of 3% or better for full-year 2025, aligning with broader strategic focus on high-margin services.

Workforce and Employee Metrics

As of December 31, 2024, employed 140,990 persons in its continuing operations, a decrease of 8,910 or 5.94% from 149,900 at the end of 2023, reflecting ongoing workforce optimization amid divestitures and efficiency measures. , as the company's largest segment by revenue, accounts for a substantial portion of this headcount, with estimates placing its direct employees at around 31,000, primarily in retail, network operations, and roles. Approximately 43% of AT&T's global workforce is represented by unions, predominantly the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which covers many Mobility call center and technical staff under agreements. These agreements, such as the 2022 Mobility contract ratified by CWA locals, include provisions prohibiting strikes during the term and outlining wage adjustments, with recent ratifications in 2024-2025 incorporating annual increases of 3-4% alongside policy enhancements. Labor tensions surfaced in August 2024 when over 17,000 CWA-represented workers in nine southeastern states initiated an unfair labor practice strike against AT&T, citing delays in bargaining and alleged bad-faith negotiations following contract expiration in June. The action, which disrupted wireline services more than Mobility operations, ended after several weeks with ratified agreements, but it underscored persistent disputes over staffing, safety, and compensation in unionized roles. AT&T maintains that such strikes stem from union tactics rather than systemic issues, as evidenced by subsequent federal charges filed by individual employees against CWA locals for coercive practices.

Investments in Innovation and Expansion

AT&T Mobility has directed billions in capital expenditures toward enhancing its 5G network, including mid-band spectrum deployment and sub-6 GHz upgrades to improve coverage and capacity. In 2024, AT&T's company-wide capital expenditures reached $20.3 billion, with a substantial allocation supporting wireless infrastructure modernization, such as antenna upgrades and small cell deployments to expand urban and rural 5G footprint. For 2025, projections indicate $22 billion to $23 billion in total capital investment, prioritizing wireless efficiency amid ongoing vendor transitions. A key innovation initiative involves a five-year, approximately $14 billion agreement with , announced in December 2023, to transform AT&T's through cloud-native and open RAN technologies, aiming to reduce costs and enhance scalability for mobility services. This partnership includes swapping equipment for Ericsson radios, with 40% of Nokia sites removed by October 2025, facilitating faster deployment of advanced features like network slicing for enterprise applications. Complementing these efforts, AT&T committed over $8 billion through the next decade to deliver full capabilities on the FirstNet public safety network, including dedicated and device ecosystem expansion for . Expansion investments extend to strategic spectrum acquisitions and partnerships, integrated with broader network builds totaling over $145 billion from 2020 to 2024, much of which bolstered capacity via C-band and mmWave integrations. AT&T Ventures, the company's internal investment arm, has broadened funding for startups in connectivity, IoT, and AI since 2024, targeting technologies to innovate mobility services like and autonomous network management. These outlays reflect a focus on sustainable growth, with subscriber additions driven by enhanced reliability in high-demand areas.

Disputes Over Network Advertising Claims

In February 2019, Sprint Corporation filed a lawsuit against AT&T Mobility in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleging that AT&T's "5G E" branding for its enhanced 4G LTE network constituted false advertising and deceived consumers by implying access to next-generation 5G technology, when the service relied on LTE Advanced rather than true 5G standards requiring new spectrum and infrastructure. Sprint sought damages, an injunction to halt the marketing, and claimed AT&T's campaign misled customers on network capabilities to gain competitive advantage ahead of actual 5G rollouts. AT&T defended the labeling as accurately describing "5G Evolution," an upgrade path incorporating LTE features like carrier aggregation for improved speeds, and argued it included disclaimers distinguishing it from full 5G. The parties reached an amicable settlement in April 2019 without admission of liability, with terms undisclosed but allowing to continue limited use of "5G E" on compatible devices while committing to clearer disclosures. In May 2020, announced it would discontinue "5G Evolution" phrasing in marketing, shifting focus to device-specific "5G E" indicators, amid ongoing industry criticism that such branding prematurely hyped network performance to non-5G users. Separately, in June 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a $100 million fine against AT&T Mobility for violating open internet transparency rules by failing to disclose data throttling practices on unlimited plans, which reduced speeds for heavy users after 2 GB monthly thresholds—contradicting advertised "unlimited" access and typical speed claims of 5-12 Mbps. The FCC cited evidence from 2012-2014 showing throttled speeds as low as 0.3 Mbps in some cases, affecting millions of customers without prior notice, as misleading representations of network performance. AT&T contested the fine, arguing throttling was necessary for network management and disclosures existed in fine print, but ultimately paid $60 million in a 2019 settlement with the FTC over related unlimited data misrepresentations, including speed reductions up to 90% post-threshold. In May 2024, AT&T Mobility participated in a $10.25 million multistate settlement with 50 attorneys general, resolving allegations of deceptive advertising including misrepresentations of network speeds and coverage, alongside issues like unlimited data limits and free device offers. The agreement required enhanced disclosures on performance metrics but included no admission of wrongdoing; investigators found claims exaggerated real-world coverage and speeds, potentially influencing consumer choices amid competitive network superiority assertions. These disputes highlight recurring scrutiny of AT&T's advertising for prioritizing promotional impact over precise delineation of technological capabilities and actual performance variability.

Throttling Policies and Unlimited Data Practices

AT&T Mobility introduced unlimited data plans in the early , marketing them as providing unrestricted access without caps, but implemented speed reductions—known as throttling—for high-usage customers to manage . From late 2011 to mid-2015, the carrier throttled data speeds for unlimited plan subscribers who exceeded certain thresholds, such as 2GB for users or 5GB for LTE users, often reducing speeds by up to 90% for the remainder of the billing cycle without prominent disclosure in advertising or terms. This practice drew regulatory scrutiny, with the filing a complaint in October 2014 alleging that deceived over 3.5 million customers by failing to adequately inform them of throttling risks, despite claims of "truly unlimited" data. The FTC highlighted that throttling affected even non-congested periods, contradicting 's assurances, and sought injunctions alongside consumer redress. In 2019, settled with the FTC for $60 million, plus additional funds for partial refunds distributed to affected customers in 2023 and 2024, totaling nearly $6.3 million in checks averaging $22 per claimant. Separately, the (FCC) proposed a $100 million forfeiture in June 2015 against for violating open internet principles and misleading consumers on unlimited 4G LTE plans, where speeds were capped after 5GB usage regardless of network conditions. The FCC order emphasized that 's fine print disclosures were buried and ineffective, impacting millions of subscribers who expected consistent high-speed access. paid the penalty, marking one of the agency's largest enforcement actions at the time for data plan transparency failures. Class-action litigation followed, including a 2021 $12 million settlement for unlimited plan customers throttled between 2012 and 2017, addressing claims of unfair business practices under state law. Critics, including consumer advocates, argued that such throttling prioritized revenue over service quality, incentivizing hidden limits to push users toward tiered plans, though maintained the measures were necessary for network stability and increasingly disclosed via updated terms. By 2023–2025, 's unlimited plans explicitly state deprioritization thresholds—such as after 22GB on legacy plans or 50–75GB on premium tiers—during congestion, reducing controversy but retaining speed management for heavy users exceeding 30GB monthly on some offerings.

Data Privacy and Location Sharing Incidents

In 2018, revealed that had been selling access to its customers' real-time, precise geolocation —derived from cell-site —to third-party aggregators and resellers since at least 2014, without obtaining the explicit customer consent required under Section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934. This practice enabled unauthorized entities, including bail bondsmen and bounty hunters, to track individuals' movements with high accuracy, often for fees as low as $0.0075 per query, affecting millions of wireless subscribers whose flowed to at least 88 downstream buyers. defended the sharing as compliant with general and options buried in , but critics argued these mechanisms failed to meet statutory standards for protecting proprietary as "nonpublic" customer . Following public backlash and congressional inquiries, announced in June 2018 that it would cease selling to third parties and implement stricter vetting. The launched an enforcement action, culminating in an April 2024 forfeiture order fining $57.1 million for willfully violating privacy rules by sharing location data without proper safeguards and continuing indirect sales through aggregators post-2018, despite internal commitments to halt the practice. The FCC determined failed to reasonably ensure downstream recipients protected the data or obtained customer authorization, exacerbating risks of misuse. In April 2025, however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the fine, ruling that the FCC's administrative penalty process violated 's Seventh Amendment right to a in actions seeking civil penalties, as affirmed by the Supreme Court's 2024 decision in ; the court did not address the merits of the underlying violations. AT&T Mobility faced separate data privacy breaches exposing customer records. In March 2024, the company disclosed a from 2019 or earlier—containing names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and passcodes for approximately 7.6 million current and 65.4 million former wireless account holders—had surfaced on the , with no evidence of intrusion into AT&T's systems but possible origins at a third-party . AT&T responded by notifying affected individuals, providing free credit monitoring, and enhancing security protocols. In July 2024, revealed a prior from May to October 2022 (with limited activity in January 2023) in which a accessed and downloaded interaction metadata—such as phone numbers called or texted, but not call contents, names, or financial data—for nearly all of its over 100 million cellular and some customers via an unauthorized third-party platform. The breach compromised records of wireless interactions, potentially linkable to individuals through , raising risks for targeted or ; secured the entry point, engaged leading to an , and confirmed no similar activity since. These incidents prompted a class-action , resulting in 's October 2025 agreement to a $177 million settlement for affected customers, covering protection and cash payments up to $7,500 for documented losses.

Major Service Outages and Reliability Criticisms

On February 22, 2024, AT&T Mobility experienced a nationwide service outage lasting approximately 12 hours, beginning around 3:40 a.m. ET due to an equipment configuration error during a routine network update intended to expand service. The disruption affected tens of millions of customers, blocking over 92 million voice calls and more than 10,000 text messages, while preventing over 25,000 attempts to connect to 911 emergency services across multiple states. This "sunny day" outage—occurring without external factors like natural disasters—cascaded when a faulty update on a network element triggered alarms that overwhelmed control centers, halting restoration efforts for hours. The (FCC) investigation revealed procedural lapses at , including insufficient pre-deployment lab testing, lack of peer reviews for the configuration change, and failure to follow internal safeguards against single points of failure. acknowledged the error stemmed from human oversight in applying an untested parameter but defended its overall network resilience, noting quick recovery once manual interventions bypassed automated systems. Critics, including public safety advocates, highlighted risks to and everyday users, as the outage disrupted not only subscribers but also some Verizon and customers reliant on interconnected services. Earlier incidents underscore recurring reliability concerns. In June 2024, AT&T faced another widespread outage peaking with over 70,000 user reports on , affecting voice, data, and 911 access in major cities, which experts attributed to potential software glitches amid ongoing network upgrades. Two 2023 outages led to an FCC settlement fining AT&T $950,000 for failing to notify regulators promptly and restore service within required timelines. A 2017 nationwide blackout, which blocked thousands of 911 calls, drew FCC criticism for avoidable failures in redundancy and testing protocols, though no enforcement action followed. Reliability criticisms have intensified with AT&T's multiple 2024 disruptions, prompting questions about in its shift to and . The FCC report on the event likened AT&T's issues to broader industry problems, such as inadequate safeguards against configuration errors, echoing software deployment failures in other sectors. Customer complaints, tracked via platforms like , frequently cite dropped calls and data interruptions in urban areas, where exacerbates vulnerabilities despite AT&T's investments in and towers. Regulators emphasize that such outages undermine public trust and safety, particularly for priority services like FirstNet, though AT&T maintains its core network outperforms historical benchmarks in uptime metrics.

Regulatory and Litigation Outcomes

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit to block 's proposed $39 billion acquisition of USA, arguing that the merger would reduce competition in the wireless market, increase prices for consumers, and eliminate as a disruptive low-cost provider, leading to abandoning the deal after failing to secure regulatory approval. The sued AT&T Mobility in 2014 for deceiving over 3.5 million customers with "unlimited" data plans that secretly throttled speeds after high usage thresholds, resulting in a $60 million settlement in 2019 requiring consumer refunds and injunctive relief to improve disclosures, with partial refunds totaling $6.3 million distributed to eligible former customers by 2024. AT&T Mobility reached a $25 million settlement with the FCC in 2017 for failing to safeguard , including location data shared with third-party advertisers without adequate consent protections, mandating enhanced policies and audits. In 2024, the FCC settled with AT&T for $13 million over a vendor breach exposing 8.9 million customers' , requiring implementation of improved security measures and reporting. Class action litigation stemming from AT&T's 2024 data breaches—exposing nearly 109 million current and former customers' personal information via third-party Snowflake systems—culminated in a $177 million settlement approved preliminarily in June 2025, allowing claims up to $7,500 for documented losses like identity theft costs, with final approval pending as of October 2025. In April 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a $57 million FCC forfeiture order against AT&T Mobility for alleged data protection violations, ruling the agency's administrative enforcement process unconstitutional under the Seventh Amendment following the Supreme Court's decision, leaving the FCC without an alternative penalty mechanism in that circuit.

References

  1. https://investors.att.com/why-invest
  2. https://about.att.com/blogs/2023/40th-anniversary-commercial-cell-service.html
  3. https://about.att.com/innovation/ip/brands/history
  4. https://about.att.com/pages/corporate-profile
  5. https://www.statista.com/topics/1252/atundt/
  6. https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/att-tops-subscriber-estimates-bundled-plans-iphone-promotions-lift-sales-2025-10-22/
  7. https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/att-had-a-huge-data-breach-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
  8. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/122-3253-att-mobility-llc-mobile-data-service
  9. https://www.fcc.gov/document/att-mobility-faces-100m-fine-misleading-consumers
  10. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1130452/000095014403002920/g80893e10vk.htm
  11. https://www.rcrwireless.com/20001009/archived-articles/a-cingular-carrier
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/18/business/mobile-merger-the-overview-41-billion-offer-by-cingular-wins-at-t-wireless.html
  13. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6331289
  14. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6887107
  15. https://investors.att.com/stockholder-services/cost-basis-guide/events
  16. https://www.reuters.com/article/business/att-closes-86-billion-bellsouth-deal-idUSWBT006361/
  17. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/732713/000095014406011933/g04911e8vk.htm
  18. http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2007/01/12/cingular-becomes-att
  19. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/annual-reports/2024/complete-annual-report-2024.pdf
  20. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/t-2023-12-31-10k-2024.pdf
  21. https://blog.telegeography.com/2025-mobile-market-summary
  22. https://www.reportlinker.com/dataset/59f2e6f51ffb17bec8aa69c95065d944837626ea
  23. https://bullfincher.io/companies/att/revenue-by-segment
  24. https://www.wsj.com/business/earnings/at-t-swings-to-profit-sales-rise-2648fe90
  25. https://about.att.com/story/2025/3q-earnings.html
  26. https://www.ctia.org/news/2025-annual-survey-highlights
  27. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/t-usq-transcript-2025-10-22.pdf
  28. https://www.historyfactory.com/insights/this-month-in-business-history-bell-system/
  29. https://www.fcc.gov/proceedings-actions/mergers-transactions/att-inc-and-bellsouth-corporation
  30. https://www.zippia.com/southwestern-bell-mobile-systems-careers-39014/history/
  31. https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/bellsouth-corporation-history/
  32. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/att-bellsouth-corporation/
  33. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1130452/000095014406001479/g99532e10vk.htm
  34. http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/12/125269/cingularpressfebruary.pdf
  35. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1121026/000119312504205998/dex991.htm
  36. https://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/cingular-to-buy-att-wireless-for-41-billion-32881.html
  37. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1130452/000095014404001647/g87379e10vk.htm
  38. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/att-wireless-will-cingulars-big-bet-pay-off/
  39. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/att-to-buy-bellsouth-for-67-billion/
  40. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11686102
  41. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-06-fi-att6-story.html
  42. https://investors.att.com/stockholder-services/cost-basis-guide/worksheet/bellsouth-corporation
  43. https://www.cnbc.com/2007/01/12/cingular-wireless-returning-to-the-att-brand.html
  44. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/12/technology/12phone.html
  45. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116855760238674492
  46. https://www.reuters.com/article/business/att-says-to-buy-dobson-for-28-billion-idUSN29428061/
  47. https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/at-t-buys-dobson-a-deal-worth-5-1b
  48. https://www.justice.gov/archive/atr/public/press_releases/2007/227232.htm
  49. https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=52858
  50. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/europe/att-to-buy-rural-phone-co-centennial-for-944-mln-idUSN07429402/
  51. https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/at-t-completes-acquisition-centennial
  52. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-requires-divestitures-att-s-acquisition-centennial
  53. https://www.networkworld.com/article/793448/wireless-at-t-spends-944-million-to-acquire-centennial-communications.html
  54. https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/att-withdraws-39-bid-for-t-mobile/
  55. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-files-antitrust-lawsuit-block-att-s-acquisition-t-mobile
  56. https://www.wired.com/2011/12/att-tmobile-merger-ends/
  57. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/technology/us-moves-to-block-merger-between-att-and-t-mobile.html
  58. https://www.fcc.gov/proceedings-actions/mergers-transactions/att-and-dobson
  59. https://www.5gamericas.org/att-unveils-2021-5g-strategy/
  60. https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/answer/What-is-the-status-of-5G-rollouts-in-2020
  61. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/annual-reports/2024/at-t-annual-report-2023.pdf
  62. https://sundaybrief.com/six-key-events-of-2023-part-2/
  63. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-404150A1.pdf
  64. https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/att-telecom-cybersecurity-breach-fcc/727355/
  65. https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com/att-breach-2024-customer-data-exposed-in-massive-cyber-attack/
  66. https://about.att.com/story/2024/ast-spacemobile-commercial-agreement.html
  67. https://about.att.com/blogs/2025/5g-standalone-nationwide.html
  68. https://www.lightreading.com/5g/at-t-verizon-chase-t-mobile-with-nationwide-5g-sa
  69. https://techbuzz.att.com/explainers/prepaid-phone-plans-vs-postpaid-phone-plans/
  70. https://www.yournavi.com/posts/best-att-phone-plans
  71. https://www.att.com/plans/wireless/
  72. https://about.att.com/story/2025/55-plus.html
  73. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-unlimited-data-plan/
  74. https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/att-prepaid-vs-postpaid-unlimited
  75. https://www.att.com/prepaid/plans/
  76. https://www.att.com/prepaid/
  77. https://www.yournavi.com/posts/best-att-prepaid-plans
  78. https://www.att.com/wireless/what-is-esim/
  79. https://www.att.com/plans/unlimited-data-plans/
  80. https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1182926/
  81. https://about.att.com/story/2025/next-up-anytime.html
  82. https://www.att.com/bundles/connectivity/
  83. https://jnadealerprogram.com/blog/att-tv-pricing-what-youll-pay-and-what-you-get/
  84. https://www.att.com/offers/internet-wireless-offer/
  85. https://www.att.com/plans/unlimited-data-plans/55-plus-discount/
  86. https://www.att.com/bundles/internet-wireless/
  87. https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
  88. https://www.att.com/scmsassets/support/wireless/devices-working-on-att-network.pdf
  89. https://www.att.com/buy/wearables/
  90. https://www.usmobile.com/blog/complete-list-of-phones-compatible-with-the-att-network-updated-april-2025/
  91. https://www.att.com/plans/next/
  92. https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1106686/
  93. https://about.att.com/blogs/2024/next-up-anytime.html
  94. https://www.att.com/wireless/trade-in-program-tips/
  95. https://www.att.com/plans/next-up-anytime/
  96. https://www.att.com/plans/phone-upgrade/
  97. https://developer.att.com/technical-library/network-technologies/long-term-evolution
  98. https://support.amcrest.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000140367-ANNOUNCEMENT-AT-T-2G-NETWORK-TO-SHUTDOWN
  99. https://www.computerworld.com/article/1723661/at-t-wireless-launches-3g-in-four-cities.html
  100. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-wireless-gears-up-for-3g-launch/
  101. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-launching-lte-on-sept-18-at-long-last/
  102. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-launches-4g-lte-in-22-new-markets/
  103. https://developer.att.com/blog/5g-wireless-network-development
  104. https://www.mobileworldlive.com/att/att-pushes-sa-5g-nationwide-to-millions/
  105. https://lte.callmc.com/past-and-future-cellular-network-sunsets/
  106. https://www.droid-life.com/2024/10/30/us-wireless-carrier-bands-gsm-cdma-wcdma-lte-verizon-att-sprint-tmobile/
  107. https://about.att.com/story/2025/echostar.html
  108. https://www.androidauthority.com/network-band-guide-us-3506058/
  109. https://about.att.com/pages/5g-plus.html
  110. https://www.phonearena.com/news/Cheat-sheet-which-4G-LTE-bands-do-AT-T-Verizon-T-Mobile-and-Sprint-use-in-the-USA_id77933
  111. https://www.att.com/offers/network/
  112. https://about.att.com/story/2025/ookla-rootmetrics-awards.html
  113. https://www.ookla.com/research/reports/rootmetrics-us-state-of-mobile-union-1h-2025
  114. https://www.research.att.com/blogs/2025/5g-redcap.html
  115. https://about.att.com/story/2025/fastest-and-most-reliable-wireless-network.html
  116. https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2025/06/usa/mobile-network-experience
  117. https://www.phonearena.com/news/t-mobile-at-t-j.d.-power-satisfaction-2025_id174715
  118. https://www.rsinc.com/att-is-rebuilding-its-network-from-the-ground-up.php
  119. https://techblog.comsoc.org/2023/02/15/att-to-use-frontiers-fiber-infrastructure-for-4g-5g-backhaul-in-25-states/
  120. https://broadbandbreakfast.com/mobile-carriers-push-fiber-investments-amid-growing-demand-for-convergence/
  121. https://about.att.com/story/2024/integrated-gateway.html
  122. https://about.att.com/blogs/2023/satterlee-open-disaggregated-platforms.html
  123. https://techblog.comsoc.org/2019/12/16/att-and-verizon-to-use-integrated-access-and-backhaul-for-2021-5g-networks/
  124. https://www.fierce-network.com/tech/inside-atts-austin-lab
  125. https://about.att.com/blogs/2025/geo-modeler.html
  126. https://www.phonearena.com/news/att-just-gave-its-network-ability-to-fix-itself-in-real-time_id174581
  127. https://telcomagazine.com/news/why-at-t-is-deploying-ai-to-boost-network-resilience
  128. https://www.lightreading.com/ai-machine-learning/-ask-at-t-gives-network-management-a-genai-facelift
  129. https://sustainability.att.com/priority-topics/innovation-technology
  130. https://about.att.com/sites/labs/our-work/analytics-ai-automation
  131. https://www.wired.com/2007/08/att-more-bars-i/
  132. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-08-fi-wireless8-story.html
  133. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/business/media/as-technology-evolves-swiftly-att-adjusts-a-theme.html
  134. https://www.telecompetitor.com/att-looks-to-rebrand-leads-with-rethink-possible/
  135. https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/at-t-refreshes-rethink-possible-ad-campaign-for-mobile
  136. https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/at-t-ditches-rethink-possible-slogan-for-new-mobilizing-your-world-push
  137. https://lbbonline.com/news/att-gets-the-world-singing-in-mobilizing-your-world-campaign
  138. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKEIkUHil9k
  139. https://www.themarketingblog.co.uk/2025/09/why-atts-lily-adams-campaign-worked-a-marketing-analysis/
  140. https://musebyclios.com/advertising/lily-returns-for-att-as-milana-vayntrub-shoots-new-ads-at-home/
  141. https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5Z5P/at-and-t-wireless-5g-football-anywhere-song-by-brook-benton
  142. https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/att-snaps-back-t-mobile-new-ad
  143. https://www.engadget.com/2010-05-10-confirmed-apple-and-atandt-signed-five-year-iphone-exclusivity-de.html
  144. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2007/06/26AT-T-and-Apple-Announce-Simple-Affordable-Service-Plans-for-iPhone/
  145. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2013/09/10/project-vogue-inside-apples-iphone-deal-with-att/
  146. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-prepares-for-the-end-to-iphone-exclusivity/
  147. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/locked-up-why-at-t-racks-up-so-many-exclusive-phones/
  148. https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/huaweis-att-us-smartphone-deal-collapses-idUSKBN1EX29E/
  149. https://about.att.com/story/2024/samsung-unpacked.html
  150. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/att-will-be-the-exclusive-launch-partner-of-the-galaxy-ring/
  151. https://about.att.com/story/2025/google-pixel-10-series.html
  152. https://www.att.com/buy/phones/google-pixel-10-pro.html
  153. https://about.att.com/story/2025/ncaa-corporate-champion-partnership.html
  154. https://www.eventmarketer.com/article/att-5g-helmet-cfp-national-championship-houston/
  155. https://about.att.com/story/2023/ncaa-partnership.html
  156. https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-att-sponsorship
  157. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/03/31/nwsl-att-ink-exclusive-sponsorship-deal-as-2025-season-kicks-off/
  158. https://brandfinance.com/insights/atts-sponsorship-investment-into-the-nba-elevating-brand-perceptions-usage-and-familiarity
  159. https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/organisation/att/
  160. https://www.corp.att.com/worldwide/att-news-rbr/
  161. https://investors.att.com/site-services/investor-profile-bk
  162. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2025/2Q-2025/2Q25_ATT_Earnings_News_Release.pdf
  163. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2025/3Q-2025/3Q25_ATT_News_Release.pdf
  164. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1125140/total-mobility-subscribers-connections/
  165. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/reports-and-presentations/2024-analyst-day-with-notes.pdf
  166. https://about.att.com/story/2025/1q-earnings.html
  167. https://about.att.com/story/2025/2q-earnings.html
  168. https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR-V2/financial-reports/t-2024-12-31-10k-final.pdf
  169. https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/t/employees/
  170. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/41510-71
  171. https://my.csrwindo.com/company/att/6b1a31cb-3073-4b6e-a7c5-f157fc962ed3/5-diversity-equality-inclusion
  172. https://www.cwa1298.org/sites/default/files/forms/AT%2526T%2520Mobility%25202022%2520Labor%2520Agreement%2520%25281%2529.pdf
  173. https://about.att.com/pages/employee-relations
  174. https://www.npr.org/2024/09/05/g-s1-21081/at-t-cwa-southern-states-telecom-strike-collective-bargaining
  175. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/04/at-t-union-strike
  176. https://cwa-union.org/strike-ends-att
  177. https://www.nrtw.org/en/news/cwa-att-miami-02272025/
  178. https://about.att.com/story/2025/4q-earnings-2024.html
  179. https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3432559
  180. https://www.lightreading.com/5g/at-t-removes-40-of-nokia-radios-in-vendor-swap-update
  181. https://www.ericsson.com/en/news/2023/12/ericsson-and-att-in-major-future-network-of-the-future-deal
  182. https://sustainability.att.com/priority-topics/network-resilience
  183. https://www.attconnects.com/our-145-billion-investment-in-america/
  184. https://about.att.com/blogs/2024/venturing-out.html
  185. https://about.att.com/story/2024/analyst-and-investor-day-2024.html
  186. https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/22/18511660/att-sprint-5ge-false-advertising-lawsuit-settlement
  187. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/08/sprint-is-suing-att-over-deceptive-5g-e-campaign.html
  188. https://www.wired.com/story/sprint-sues-att-proving-5g-still-meaningless/
  189. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-settles-5g-e-false-advertising-lawsuit-with-sprint/
  190. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/20/tech/att-discontinues-5g-evolution-marketing
  191. https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-63A1.pdf
  192. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/18/technology/fcc-to-fine-att-for-slowing-data-speeds-of-some-customers.html
  193. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2014/10/ftc-says-att-has-misled-millions-consumers-unlimited-data-promises
  194. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/05/tech/att-settlement-misleading-unlimited-data-ftc
  195. https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-announces-1025-million-settlement-against-att-verizon-and
  196. https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-secures-more-10-million-att-t-mobile-and-verizon-wireless
  197. https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/newsroom/attorney-general-bird-announces-1025-million-settlement-with-major-wireless-carriers-for-deceptive/
  198. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fcc-to-fine-at-t-for-deceiving-customers-over-unlimited-data-plan/
  199. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/11/att-pay-60-million-resolve-ftc-allegations-it-misled-consumers-unlimited-data-promises
  200. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-sends-refunds-former-att-wireless-customers-who-were-subject-data-throttling
  201. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/02/att-pays-12m-for-unlimited-data-throttling-and-its-a-good-deal-for-att/
  202. https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1049282/
  203. https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/unlimited-data-plans-fine-print
  204. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/fcc-fines-big-three-carriers-196m-for-selling-users-real-time-location-data/
  205. https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/04/fcc-fines-major-u-s-wireless-carriers-for-selling-customer-location-data/
  206. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-402213A1.pdf
  207. https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/06/verizon-to-stop-sharing-customer-location-data-with-third-parties/
  208. https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-fines-att-57m-location-data-violations
  209. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-40A1.pdf
  210. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/court-overrules-fccs-usd57-million-fine-against-at-and-t
  211. https://about.att.com/story/2024/addressing-data-set-released-on-dark-web.html
  212. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/12/business/att-data-breach.html
  213. https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/network-carriers/at-and-t-settles-usd177-million-data-breach-lawsuit-how-you-can-claim-your-settlement-share
  214. https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-issues-report-nationwide-att-mobility-outage
  215. https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/att-wireless-outage-february-blocked-more-than-92-million-calls-agency-says-2024-07-22/
  216. https://www.networkworld.com/article/3476875/fcc-post-mortem-on-att-outage-uncovers-similar-qa-issues-to-those-that-plagued-crowdstrike.html
  217. https://about.att.com/pages/network-update
  218. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12613
  219. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/05/business/att-outage
  220. https://downdetector.com/status/att/
  221. https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240827/featured/fcc-settles-network-outage-issues-with-att-altice
  222. https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/commlaw-monitor/fcc-takes-no-enforcement-action-despite-report-finding-that-avoidable-failures-led-to-att-mobility-911-outage
  223. https://www.gsma.com/get-involved/gsma-membership/gsma_resources/downdetector-helped-the-early-detection-of-major-outages-during-the-first-half-of-2024/
  224. https://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/blog/update-february-22-network-outage
  225. https://www.connellfoley.com/blog/fcc-fines-att-m-for-data-privacy-lapse
  226. https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-settles-att-vendor-cloud-breach
  227. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/open-lawsuit-settlements/177m-att-data-breach-class-action-settlement/
  228. https://perkinscoie.com/insights/update/fifth-circuit-rules-fcc-enforcement-action-unconstitutional
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.