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![]() | This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered. |
NOTE: I’m proposing the following edits for FleishmanHillard on behalf of AT&T. I am a paid editor and aware of the COI guidelines. I’m submitting these edits to correct some historical inaccuracies/omissions in the History subsections and provide the most up to date information for corporate governance. Please let me know of any questions or comments as you review. Thanks for your time and consideration. Jon Gray ( talk) 03:57, 23 April 2021 (UTC)
History – Origin and growth (1885-1981)
By 1881, Bell Telephone Company had become the American Bell Telephone Company. [2]
One of its subsidiaries was the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), established in 1885. [3] On December 30, 1899, AT&T acquired the assets of its parent American Bell Telephone, becoming the new parent company. [4] AT&T established a network of local telephone subsidiaries in the United States.
AT&T and its subsidiaries held a phone service monopoly, authorized in 1913 by government authorities with the Kingsbury Commitment, throughout most of the twentieth century. [5]
History – Breakup and reformation (1982-2004)
In 1982, U.S. regulators broke up the AT&T monopoly, requiring AT&T to divest its local subsidiaries, which it did by grouping them into seven individual companies. [7]
AT&T continued to operate long-distance services which faced increasing competition from new competitors such as MCI and Sprint. [8]
In the latter half of the 1990s, the company acquired several other telecommunications companies, including two Baby Bells ( Pacific Telesis Group and Ameritech Corporation), [10] while selling its cable business.
History – Purchase of former parent and acquisitions (2005–2014)
On November 18, 2005, SBC Communications, Inc. purchased AT&T Corp. for $16 billion. [15]
The current AT&T Inc. claims the original AT&T Corp.’s history (dating to 1877) as its own [16], but retains SBC’s 1983-2005 corporate structure and pre-2005 stock price history.
AT&T acquired BellSouth Corporation on December 29, 2006 following FCC approval. [17] The transaction consolidated ownership and management of Cingular Wireless. [18] AT&T rebranded its wireless retail stores from Cingular to AT&T in January 2007. [19]
Corporate governance
Recommend the following updates to bring the board of directors list current as of April 2021:
Recommend the following updates to bring the management list current as of April 2021:
References
During June, therefore, Hubbard, Sanders, Bell and Watson prepared for the formal creation of a telephone company all their own. On July 9, 1877, the Bell Telephone Company was born as a 'voluntary association,' unincorporated and therefore without any stated capitalization.
Early in 1881, the American Bell Telephone Company – as it came to be called beginning in March 1880 – issued its first annual report to stockholders.
1885 - The American Telephone and Telegraph Company is created as a subsidiary of Bell Telephone to build and operate a long-distance telephone network.
Accordingly, the American Bell management bad farewell to Boston and gradually moved its offices to downtown Manhattan, and on December 30, 1899 – the next-to-last day of the old century – AT&T, with a new capitalization of over seventy million dollars, became the parent company of the Bell System, which, of course, it has remained ever since.
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In 1913, the U.S. filed an antitrust lawsuit against AT&T to break up its growing monopoly in the phone service market. While Congress contemplated nationalizing the long distance telephone network, AT&T settled the antitrust lawsuit with the Kingsbury Commitment. In the Kingsbury Commitment, AT&T agreed to allow independent local telephone companies to interconnect with AT&T's long distance network, divest Western Union, and refrain from purchasing other companies if the Interstate Commerce Commission objected.
The Bell name will be used instead by Ma's offspring - the 22 local operating companies that are to be split from American Telephone on Jan. 1. They provide 80 percent of the nation's local telephone service.
The local companies, grouped into seven regional holding companies, will provide local telephone service and can sell, but not manufacture, telephone equipment.
In July, Sprint fired the opening salvo in the latest long-distance price war, offering calls for 5 cents a minute. That move has fueled a rivalry as heated as any World Wrestling Federation-style smackdown, complete with old feuds, tons of self-promotion, and a need to save face at all costs. In fact, you can almost imagine the billing the WWF would give the matchup: Tonight at the Worcester Centrum Center--"Stone Cold" Bill Esrey of Sprint, Mike "The Maniac" Armstrong of AT&T, and Bernie "Buy 'Em Out" Ebbers of MCI WorldCom.
Ownership of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company was officially transferred to Southwestern Bell Corporation on January 1, 1984.
After Congress de-regulated the telecommunications industry in February 1996, allowing regional companies to compete with long distance carriers, among other rule changes, SBC began to expand. In 1996 it merged with Pacific Telesis Group, and in 1998 the company bought the Ameritech Corporation.
In 1994 Southwestern Bell initiated a name change to SBC Communications Incorporated.
SBC Communications Inc. completed its acquisition of AT&T Corp. on Friday after California regulators approved the $16 billion deal.
Apple Inc AAPL.O, the largest U.S. company by market value, will join the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI, replacing AT&T Inc T.N, in a change that reflects the dominant position of the iPhone maker in the U.S. consumer economy.
SBC Communications Inc. completed its acquisition of AT&T Corp. on Friday after California regulators approved the $16 billion deal.
The Bell Telephone Company, a Massachusetts voluntary association, was formed on July 9, 1877, with Gardiner G. Hubbard as trustee.
Federal regulators approved AT&T's $85.8 billion acquisition of BellSouth yesterday, allowing the companies to close their delayed deal.
Now four of the seven companies that were spun off from the original AT&T in 1984 are back under one roof, and it includes 66.1 million telephone lines, 58.7 million Cingular Wireless customers and 11.6 million high-speed Internet customers.
But in the long term, Mr. Lerman said, AT&T will benefit from the efficiency of having its well-known name appear on all its services. AT&T executives wouldn't say how much the rebranding will cost as they change signs in roughly 2,000 stores as well as employee uniforms and billing letterhead. But executives estimate 20% of the expected operating-expense savings from the merger will come from advertising, because of the single AT&T brand.
Mr. Stephenson, 60, will stay on as executive chairman of the board through this year, the company said in a statement.
AT&T's (NYSE: T) board of directors has appointed William Kennard to serve as chairman, effective January 2021, the company announced Friday. Kennard will succeed Randall Stephenson, currently AT&T's executive chairman of the board, who will retire at the beginning of 2021.
Richard W. Fisher will retire at the 2021 Annual Meeting and will not stand for re-election.
AT&T Inc. hired a company insider to succeed longtime finance chief John Stephens once he retires at the end of March, in the latest change of guard within the company's leadership over the past year. The Dallas-based telecommunications company Tuesday said Pascal Desroches would become chief financial officer April 1. Mr. Desroches is now CFO of AT&T's WarnerMedia division and previously worked in various finance roles at the entertainment company.
![]() | This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered. |
NOTE: I’m proposing the following edits for FleishmanHillard on behalf of AT&T. I am a paid editor and aware of the COI guidelines. As requested, I’m submitting an updated version of our Corporate Governance edit request now that one of the changes to the board is official. Please let me know of any questions or comments as you review. Thanks for your time and consideration. Jon Gray ( talk) 02:10, 5 May 2021 (UTC)
Corporate governance
Recommend the following updates to bring the board of directors list current as of May 2021:
References
Mr. Stephenson, 60, will stay on as executive chairman of the board through this year, the company said in a statement.
AT&T's (NYSE: T) board of directors has appointed William Kennard to serve as chairman, effective January 2021, the company announced Friday. Kennard will succeed Randall Stephenson, currently AT&T's executive chairman of the board, who will retire at the beginning of 2021.
William E. Kennard, Independent Chairman of the Board
![]() | This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest was declined. |
NOTE: I’m proposing the following edits for
FleishmanHillard on behalf of
AT&T. I am a paid editor and aware of the COI guidelines. Below, I’ve outlined requested edits to the AT&T Latin America and Political Involvement sections to account for corrections and updates. Please let me know of any questions or comments as you review. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Jon Gray (
talk)
21:24, 21 June 2021 (UTC)
AT&T Latin America – Infobox
AT&T Latin America
Lori Lee was appointed CEO of AT&T International in July 2017. [6]
In August 2018, Melissa Arnoldi was named CEO of AT&T’s Vrio subsidiary in Latin America, replacing Jeff McElfresh who assumed the leadership of AT&T’s Technology and Operations division. [7] [8]
The sale of Puerto Rico and Virgin Island operations to Liberty Latin America for $2 billion in cash closed on November 2, 2020. [10] On April 1, 2020, Monica Aspe Bernal assumed the role of interim CEO of AT&T Mexico after serving for more than a year as Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications. [11] Bernal was named CEO in March 2021. [12]
Political Involvement
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, AT&T was the forty seventh largest donor to United States federal political campaigns and committees in 2020. [13]
AT&T was among 250 organizations and individuals that contributed more than $100,000 to the Trump inaugural, giving $2 million in cash contributions, as well as an $82,483 in-kind donation. [14] [15] This contribution was less than the $3 million it donated for President Obama’s inauguration in 2013. [16]
A key focus area for AT&T has been reform of policies that make broadband more accessible and affordable. [19]
The company has supported several federal bills related to broadband policy reform, including the FCC’s implementation of the Broadband Data Act to create more accurate maps. [20]
Following AT&T’s $85 billion merger with Time Warner (now WarnerMedia) in June 2018, then-President Donald Trump called for a boycott of AT&T, citing CNN’s coverage of him, calling the network “fake news.”
[21]The
Department of Justice sued to block the deal, but a federal judge ruled the merger was legal.
[22]
References
We have three reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia and (3) Latin America. Our segment results presented in Note 4 and discussed below follow our internal management reporting. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition related costs and other significant items and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment.
Operating Revenues (2020) – Latin America: $5,716,000,000
Assets (2020) – Latin America: $15,811,000,000
{{
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
We have three reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia and (3) Latin America. Our segment results presented in Note 4 and discussed below follow our internal management reporting. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition related costs and other significant items and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment.
AT&T Latin America provides pay-TV services across 10 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean and wireless services to consumers and businesses in Mexico.
John Donovan officially named CEO of AT&T Communications ahead of Time Warner acquisition.
AT&T has confirmed that Melissa Arnoldi will move from president of technology and operations at AT&T Mobility to become CEO of the company's Latin American video unit Vrio.
AT&T confirmed that Jeff McElfresh will take over command of AT&T's Technology and Operations division. He takes over from Melissa Arnoldi, who will move over to head up AT&T's Vrio subsidiary in Latin America, which sells DirecTV services to South American countries.
AT&T has agreed to sell its operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to regional telecom operator Liberty Latin America, lock, stock and barrel — or more properly in the case of telecom assets, spectrum, real estate/leases, and customers/contracts.
AT&T announced yesterday that it has completed the sale of its wireless and wireline operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Liberty Latin America (NASDAQ: LILA and LILAK).
Monica Aspe Bernal was appointed by AT&T as the new interim CEO of its Mexico operation, after just over one year of serving as Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communication.
After occupying the position on an interim basis for almost a year, AT&T Mexico has now confirmed the appointment of Monica Aspe Bernal as its CEO.
Cycle: 2020. Contributions: Ranks 47 of 21,691
At least 47 people or organizations gave $1 million or more to the Trump welcome wagon, and more than 250 gave $100,000 and above; those 250 provided 91 percent of the inaugural committee's funds. Obama had 82 six-figure donors in 2013, and four that hit $1 million.
AT&T was among the largest contributors to President Trump's inaugural committee, accounting for more than $2 million of the record-breaking $106.7 million haul. The telecom behemoth gave $2 million in cash contributions, as well as an $82,483 in-kind donation for "mobile equipment/software."
Though the contribution exceeds those of AT&T's rivals, it still falls short of the $3 million it gave for President Obama's 2013 inauguration.
AT&T Inc. announced Thursday that North Carolina President Venessa Harrison will become the state president for Georgia, succeeding William Leahy who recently retired.
Major telecom players are cheering the FCC's bipartisan vote to swiftly advance the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which will help subsidize internet service for households affected by Covid. (The full text of the order was released on Friday.) Acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has stressed how the program will be key for those households to access virtual learning, telehealth services and job resources. AT&T praised the step to "help close the broadband gap," while Comcast and Charter announced their intent to participate in the effort.
Congress should act to directly fund the Universal Service Fund program, said Jeff McElfresh, CEO of AT&T Communications, at an industry event today. Modernizing USF was one of four AT&T broadband policy recommendations that McElfresh outlined…The other AT&T broadband policy recommendations that McElfresh outlined were: 3. Obtain accurate broadband availability data. It's widely recognized that government broadband availability data is flawed because it considers an entire census block to have service available to it, even if only a single location in the block can get service. Congress passed the Broadband Data Act to address this but has not voted to provide funding to implement the act.
President Donald Trump on Monday called for a boycott of AT&T to force 'big changes' at subsidiary CNN, which Trump often accuses of biased and negative coverage of his administration. 'I believe that if people stoped using or subscribing to @ATT, they would be forced to make big changes at @CNN, which is dying in the ratings anyway. It is so unfair with such bad, Fake News!' the president tweeted from the U.K., just as he began a state visit, misspelling 'stopped.'
Judge Richard J. Leon, in his 172-page opinion Tuesday, allowed AT&T Inc.'s proposed merger with Time Warner Inc., to go through, over objections by the U.S. Justice Department that the deal, if consummated, would have anticompetitive effects and violate the antitrust laws.
![]() | This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest was declined. |
NOTE: I’m proposing the following edits for FleishmanHillard on behalf of AT&T. I am a paid editor and aware of the COI guidelines. Below, I’ve outlined requested edits to the AT&T Political Involvement section to account for corrections and updates. (I am resubmitting this section’s requested edits by themselves, as opposed to paired with the Latin America section per the previous editor’s response that both together were too numerous.) Please let me know of any questions or comments as you review. Thanks for your time and consideration. Jon Gray ( talk) 17:04, 24 June 2021 (UTC)
Political Involvement
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, AT&T was the forty seventh largest donor to United States federal political campaigns and committees in 2020. [1]
AT&T was among 250 organizations and individuals that contributed more than $100,000 to the Trump inaugural, giving $2 million in cash contributions, as well as an $82,483 in-kind donation. [2] [3] This contribution was less than the $3 million it donated for President Obama’s inauguration in 2013. [4]
A key focus area for AT&T has been reform of policies that make broadband more accessible and affordable. [7]
The company has supported several federal bills related to broadband policy reform, including the FCC’s implementation of the Broadband Data Act to create more accurate maps. [8]
Following AT&T’s $85 billion merger with Time Warner (now WarnerMedia) in June 2018, then-President Donald Trump called for a boycott of AT&T, citing CNN’s coverage of him, calling the network “fake news.” [9]The Department of Justice sued to block the deal, but a federal judge ruled the merger was legal. [10]
References
Cycle: 2020. Contributions: Ranks 47 of 21,691
At least 47 people or organizations gave $1 million or more to the Trump welcome wagon, and more than 250 gave $100,000 and above; those 250 provided 91 percent of the inaugural committee's funds. Obama had 82 six-figure donors in 2013, and four that hit $1 million.
AT&T was among the largest contributors to President Trump's inaugural committee, accounting for more than $2 million of the record-breaking $106.7 million haul. The telecom behemoth gave $2 million in cash contributions, as well as an $82,483 in-kind donation for "mobile equipment/software."
Though the contribution exceeds those of AT&T's rivals, it still falls short of the $3 million it gave for President Obama's 2013 inauguration.
AT&T Inc. announced Thursday that North Carolina President Venessa Harrison will become the state president for Georgia, succeeding William Leahy who recently retired.
Major telecom players are cheering the FCC's bipartisan vote to swiftly advance the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which will help subsidize internet service for households affected by Covid. (The full text of the order was released on Friday.) Acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has stressed how the program will be key for those households to access virtual learning, telehealth services and job resources. AT&T praised the step to "help close the broadband gap," while Comcast and Charter announced their intent to participate in the effort.
Congress should act to directly fund the Universal Service Fund program, said Jeff McElfresh, CEO of AT&T Communications, at an industry event today. Modernizing USF was one of four AT&T broadband policy recommendations that McElfresh outlined…The other AT&T broadband policy recommendations that McElfresh outlined were: 3. Obtain accurate broadband availability data. It's widely recognized that government broadband availability data is flawed because it considers an entire census block to have service available to it, even if only a single location in the block can get service. Congress passed the Broadband Data Act to address this but has not voted to provide funding to implement the act.
President Donald Trump on Monday called for a boycott of AT&T to force 'big changes' at subsidiary CNN, which Trump often accuses of biased and negative coverage of his administration. 'I believe that if people stoped using or subscribing to @ATT, they would be forced to make big changes at @CNN, which is dying in the ratings anyway. It is so unfair with such bad, Fake News!' the president tweeted from the U.K., just as he began a state visit, misspelling 'stopped.'
Judge Richard J. Leon, in his 172-page opinion Tuesday, allowed AT&T Inc.'s proposed merger with Time Warner Inc., to go through, over objections by the U.S. Justice Department that the deal, if consummated, would have anticompetitive effects and violate the antitrust laws.
![]() | This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest was declined. |
NOTE: I’m proposing the following edits for FleishmanHillard on behalf of AT&T. I am a paid editor and aware of the COI guidelines. Below, I’ve outlined requested edits to the AT&T Latin America and Political Involvement sections to account for corrections and updates. (I am resubmitting this section’s requested edits by themselves, as opposed to paired with the Political Involvement section per the previous editor’s response that both together were too numerous.) Please let me know of any questions or comments as you review. Thanks for your time and consideration. Jon Gray ( talk) 13:30, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
AT&T Latin America – Infobox
AT&T Latin America
Lori Lee was appointed CEO of AT&T International in July 2017. [6]
In August 2018, Melissa Arnoldi was named CEO of AT&T’s Vrio subsidiary in Latin America, replacing Jeff McElfresh who assumed the leadership of AT&T’s Technology and Operations division. [7] [8]
The sale of Puerto Rico and Virgin Island operations to Liberty Latin America for $2 billion in cash closed on November 2, 2020. [10] On April 1, 2020, Monica Aspe Bernal assumed the role of interim CEO of AT&T Mexico after serving for more than a year as Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications. [11] Bernal was named CEO in March 2021. [12]
References
We have three reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia and (3) Latin America. Our segment results presented in Note 4 and discussed below follow our internal management reporting. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition related costs and other significant items and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment.
Operating Revenues (2020) – Latin America: $5,716,000,000
Assets (2020) – Latin America: $15,811,000,000
{{
cite report}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
We have three reportable segments: (1) Communications, (2) WarnerMedia and (3) Latin America. Our segment results presented in Note 4 and discussed below follow our internal management reporting. We analyze our segments based on segment operating contribution, which consists of operating income, excluding acquisition related costs and other significant items and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates for investments managed within each segment.
AT&T Latin America provides pay-TV services across 10 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean and wireless services to consumers and businesses in Mexico.
John Donovan officially named CEO of AT&T Communications ahead of Time Warner acquisition.
AT&T has confirmed that Melissa Arnoldi will move from president of technology and operations at AT&T Mobility to become CEO of the company's Latin American video unit Vrio.
AT&T confirmed that Jeff McElfresh will take over command of AT&T's Technology and Operations division. He takes over from Melissa Arnoldi, who will move over to head up AT&T's Vrio subsidiary in Latin America, which sells DirecTV services to South American countries.
AT&T has agreed to sell its operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to regional telecom operator Liberty Latin America, lock, stock and barrel — or more properly in the case of telecom assets, spectrum, real estate/leases, and customers/contracts.
AT&T announced yesterday that it has completed the sale of its wireless and wireline operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Liberty Latin America (NASDAQ: LILA and LILAK).
Monica Aspe Bernal was appointed by AT&T as the new interim CEO of its Mexico operation, after just over one year of serving as Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communication.
After occupying the position on an interim basis for almost a year, AT&T Mexico has now confirmed the appointment of Monica Aspe Bernal as its CEO.
![]() | Part of an edit requested by an editor with a conflict of interest has been implemented. [see below] |
NOTE: I’m proposing the following edits for FleishmanHillard on behalf of AT&T. I am a paid editor and aware of the COI guidelines. I have revised our original edit request per feedback from the previous editor and seek updates to reflect correct/recent figures, two updates in the business’s history and the possible shift of some information to a different section in the article where it is more relevant. As always, appreciate your time and consideration. Jon Gray ( talk) 14:02, 1 July 2021 (UTC)
AT&T Latin America – Infobox
AT&T Latin America
Lori Lee was appointed CEO of AT&T International in July 2017. [4]
In August 2018, Melissa Arnoldi was named CEO of AT&T’s Vrio subsidiary in Latin America. [5] [6]
References
Operating Revenues (2020) – Latin America: $5,716,000,000
Assets (2020) – Latin America: $15,811,000,000
{{
cite report}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
AT&T Latin America provides pay-TV services across 10 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean and wireless services to consumers and businesses in Mexico.
John Donovan officially named CEO of AT&T Communications ahead of Time Warner acquisition.
AT&T has confirmed that Melissa Arnoldi will move from president of technology and operations at AT&T Mobility to become CEO of the company's Latin American video unit Vrio.
AT&T confirmed that Jeff McElfresh will take over command of AT&T's Technology and Operations division. He takes over from Melissa Arnoldi, who will move over to head up AT&T's Vrio subsidiary in Latin America, which sells DirecTV services to South American countries.
AT&T has agreed to sell its operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to regional telecom operator Liberty Latin America, lock, stock and barrel — or more properly in the case of telecom assets, spectrum, real estate/leases, and customers/contracts.