What carrier owns AT&T?

Posted on: 14 Aug 2024
What carrier owns AT&T?

One of the most competitive and standard-setting sectors worldwide, telecommunications is where AT&T leads among all the companies in the United States of America. But AT&T Internet is controlled by another behemoth in communications; it is not an autonomous business.

AT&T's Parent Company: WarnerMedia of Warner Bros. Discovery

At now, AT&T is Warner Bros. Discovery's mass media and entertainment branch. Combining Discovery Inc. with AT&T media company WarnerMedia in April of 2022 resulted in Warner Bros. Discovery.

Before that, AT&T paid $85 billion for WarnerMedia, therefore purchasing a media and entertainment juggernaut. This placed AT&T in possession of some of the most well-known entertainment firms, including HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Studio, and many more. But in 2021 AT&T decided to split WarnerMedia and mix it with competing Discovery, therefore eliminating direct control of properties like HBO or CNN.

Under the new corporate structure, AT&T is a Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary exclusively in charge of offering pay-TV, internet, and wireless technologies. For instance, still directly owned by AT&T, significant AT&T brands include DirecTV, Cricket Wireless, and AT&T Fiber.

The AT&T separation served to let the telecom company focus on network enhancement while Warner Bros. Discovery strives to rank among the top streaming and entertainment companies worldwide.

Ownership and Acquisition of AT&T


Over the last several decades, acquisitions and mergers have woven a long and rich history for AT&T.

  • After purchasing AT&T Corporation in 2005, SBC Communications began to use the AT&T trademark.
  • Examining the past of acquisitions in the United States, AT&T—who bought DirecTV in 2015—became the biggest pay-TV supplier in America.
  • One of the biggest acquisitions in the sector that shot AT&T as a media behemoth in 2018 was Time Warner.
  • AT&T sold WarnerMedia in reaction to this 2021 change, and the latter combined with Discovery.

This latest move is a new chapter for AT&T, as Warner Bros. Discovery assumes control of the media sphere, while AT&T is the internet and wireless backbone of much of that media.

AT&T's Wireless Network Leadership

As a wireless carrier, AT&T has cemented itself as an industry leader in mobile connectivity.

  • Second to Verizon in terms of an overall number of cellular users, AT&T now has more than 100 million cellphone subscribers throughout the nation.
  • Independent third-party testing finds that the carrier has the quickest and greatest 5G network available nationally in America.
  • This is because people are increasingly migrating from mobile and fixed broadband services to fiber internet for their connection requirements.
  • Mobile 5G and multi-access edge computing that accelerates devices are some of the key themes in AT&T’s investigation of infrastructure.

The company also owns extensive infrastructure across the country supporting modern communications.

  • Over 223,000 miles of fiber are used for conveying high-speed internet and media.
  • Of that number, over 9,000 stores and authorized retailers offer wireless sales and customer support.
  • Currently, 650000 business customer locations are connected through AT&T connectivity services.

Even though it does not control pop culture characters such as Superman or Game of Thrones under Warner Bros. Discovery, AT&T plays a similarly crucial role in maintaining the digital world through connectivity. AT&T provides a lot of the streaming video and audio, apps, and general Internet usage that individuals and companies use daily.

The Next Era for AT&T

After the acquisition, AT&T is set to become a more efficient telecommunications company, adapting wireless and fiber networks to advanced technologies such as autonomous cars, smart communities, revitalized workplaces, entertainment, and others. Industry-leading 5G powers advanced experience for consumers as well as businesses and AT&T keeps on moving forward into the future.

That is why even if references to AT&T as the main provider of internet services might no longer be seen beside brands like CNN and HBO, their mission of delivering fast internet connection remains relevant under Warner Bros. Discovery. The AT&T brand itself continues as the telecom giant brand despite changing hands over the years of technology. For customers subscribing to AT&T Wireless, Fiber, or DirecTV, good service supported by constant upgrades to networks will remain business as usual across America.

Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.


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