With the symbol of "T" on the New York Stock Exchange, AT&T, or "ATT," is a company with a storied history. You might know it as a cell phone service carrier, but its history began with the invention of telephone and the Bell Telephone Company. The company cut its local service in 1984, but it continued with long distance, research and development and manufacturing.
The story of ATT begins in 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. His company was the Bell Telephone Company, founded with his partners, Thomas Watson and Gardiner Greene Hubbard. Bell Telephone then became the American Bell Telephone Company by 1881. A subsidiary of this company was American Telephone and Telegraph Company, which acquired the assets of its parent company and became AT&T. An interesting fact is that in the 1920s, the company created Sound Motion Pictures technology.
Warner Brothers first used the ATT sound technology in the 1926 Hollywood movie, Don Juan. The technology was able to synchronize the sound to the movement of the actors' lips. It was the beginning of the modern day movie.
Because it held a monopoly through most of the 20th Century, the company earned the nickname, "Ma Bell." However, by 1982, regulators had broken up the company. It had to divest local subsidiaries. Its long distance service continued when local service was halted.
It is a fact that AT&T had an increase in its mobile subscribers and connections by almost 58 million in four years. This was between 2017 and 2021. The total number of subscribers became 191.65 million. AT&T wireless subscribers reached 182.56 million in 2020. With this event, the company became the largest shareholder in the market of wireless subscriptions.
The company has seen much advancement, and it recently had 5G roaming in more than 35 countries. This includes Japan, Italy, Bulgaria, China, Canada, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Finland, Sweden and more.
In 2021, AT&T had corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas and had 202,600 employees. Employee numbers include all states and more than 60 countries throughout the world. Recent investments include the latest technology, such as drones and connected cars.
ATT ranked 8th in the Forbes 2021 Just 100 for companies that are leading the new era of responsible capitalism. AT&T received superior marks for how the company treats its customers. Particular attention was given to those who need help during an emergency, earning praise. Communication between first responders was enhanced after 911 with the advent of AT&T’s FirstNet wireless network. After hurricanes or wildfires, ATT&T sends drones to boost cell service for those who have lost their connections.
The growth of "ATT," AT&T, has seen many exciting changes since its days as the Bell Telephone Company. It is now one of the leaders of responsible capitalism.