Communications: AT&T

Ticker Symbol: ATT

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About AT&T

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, AT&T Inc (T) is the largest U.S. local and long distance phone service provider and second largest wireless service provider. AT&T was created in 2005 after SBC Communications acquired AT&T Corp.

The current incarnation of AT&T traces its roots back to 1882 and the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Ameritech, Southwestern Bell, Pacific Telesis, and Bellsouth comprised the bulk of the SBC’s consumer base before the AT&T merger.

The 1982 breakup of the previously vertically integrated AT&T led to the divestiture of local service companies, resulting in seven regional holding companies, or “Baby Bells.” The result of AT&T’s breakup was increased competition from the likes of Sprint and MCI. Two of the spun off regional holding companies, Bell Atlantic and Nynex, would later become Verizon, and US West would become Qwest.

AT&T bought Wayport, Inc, in late 2008, bolstering its position as the largest provider of Wi-Fi hotspots in the U.S.

AT&T Competitors:

• Tier 1 AT&T Competitors: Verizon Wireless (VZ), Sprint Nextel (S), Qwest Communications (Q), Vodafone Group (VOD)
• Tier 2 AT&T Competitors: Deutsche Telekom (DT), France Telecom (FTE), CenturyTel (CTL), Cincinnati Bell (CBB)

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