AT&T

Overview: AT&T Inc. is one of the world’s largest telecommunications holding companies, headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Dallas, Texas. The company traces its roots to the original American Telephone and Telegraph Company, founded in 1885 as a subsidiary of the Bell Telephone Company, itself established by Alexander Graham Bell in 1877. AT&T has played a pivotal role in the development of the U.S. telecommunications infrastructure, evolving from a government-sanctioned monopoly to a competitive multinational corporation[1][2][3][4].

Products: AT&T provides a broad range of communications and technology services, including wireless voice and data, broadband internet, fiber optic services, digital television (through DirecTV), and business solutions such as cloud, cybersecurity, and IoT connectivity. Its wireless division is the third largest in the U.S., serving millions of consumer and business customers. AT&T also operates international subsidiaries, notably AT&T Mexico, and holds a significant stake in DirecTV[1][3][4].

Market Position: As of 2023, AT&T ranked 32nd on the Fortune 500, with annual revenues of $122.4 billion and a market capitalization of approximately $140 billion[1][3]. The company employs around 160,700 people (2022) and is a major competitor to Verizon and T-Mobile in the U.S. wireless market. AT&T’s business services division is a leading provider of enterprise connectivity, and its fiber network is among the largest in North America[1][3][4].

Growth: AT&T’s growth has been shaped by major mergers and acquisitions, including the 2005 merger with SBC Communications (itself a former Baby Bell), which adopted the AT&T name and expanded the company’s national footprint[2]. The company has invested heavily in 5G wireless, fiber broadband, and digital transformation for business clients. Recent years have seen a strategic refocus on core connectivity services, with divestitures of media assets such as WarnerMedia (spun off in 2022)[1][2][3].

Real Estate: AT&T’s real estate portfolio includes thousands of retail stores, corporate offices, data centers, and network facilities across the U.S. and internationally. The company’s flagship headquarters is Whitacre Tower in Dallas. AT&T operates over 5,300 retail locations in the U.S. (as of 2023), including company-owned and authorized dealer stores. Store formats range from full-service flagship stores in urban centers to smaller express and kiosk concepts in malls and shopping centers. The company’s real estate strategy emphasizes high-traffic, accessible locations to support both consumer and business sales, with ongoing optimization of its retail footprint to align with digital transformation and customer demand[1][3][4].