AT&T History Timeline and Biographies | History Timeline Generator

1885

Formation of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T)

The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) was formed as a subsidiary of the Bell Telephone Company, primarily to develop and expand telephone services across the United States. This marked the beginning of AT&T's long-standing impact on telecommunications.

1913

Monopoly and the Kingsbury Commitment

AT&T faced antitrust scrutiny, leading to the Kingsbury Commitment, which allowed AT&T to maintain its monopoly on telephone services while agreeing to divest its control over Western Union and not engage in certain anti-competitive practices.

1949

Breakup of the Bell System Begins

The U.S. government initiated antitrust proceedings against AT&T, leading to the eventual breakup of the Bell System, which had controlled the majority of telephone services in the U.S. This was a pivotal moment in AT&T's history, reshaping the telecommunications industry.

1982

Divestiture of AT&T's Local Operating Companies

AT&T was officially broken up into seven regional "Baby Bells," effectively ending its monopoly on local telephone service and marking a new era of competition in the telecommunications market.

1994

Rebranding to AT&T Corp.

The company rebranded itself as AT&T Corp., focusing on long-distance telephone services and expanding into new markets, including wireless communications and data services.

2005

Acquisition of SBC Communications

AT&T merged with SBC Communications, a former Baby Bell, effectively restoring the company to its former size and scope. The new entity adopted the AT&T name and logo, becoming a significant player in the telecommunications landscape.

2007

Launch of the iPhone and AT&T's Exclusive Partnership with Apple

AT&T entered into an exclusive partnership with Apple to provide wireless service for the iPhone, revolutionizing the smartphone market and significantly boosting AT&T's customer base.

2011

Attempted Acquisition of T-Mobile USA

AT&T announced plans to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion, but the merger was ultimately blocked by regulators due to antitrust concerns, demonstrating the ongoing challenges AT&T faced in expanding its market presence.

2013

Acquisition of DirecTV

AT&T acquired DirecTV for $48.5 billion, marking a significant expansion into the pay-TV market and enabling AT&T to offer bundled services to its customers, including television and internet.

2015

Launch of AT&T's 1 Gbps Fiber Internet Service

AT&T began rolling out its fiber internet service, AT&T Fiber, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps to residential customers, positioning itself as a leader in high-speed internet services.

2018

Acquisition of Time Warner

AT&T completed its acquisition of Time Warner for $85 billion, diversifying its portfolio into media and entertainment, and creating a significant content delivery platform with properties like HBO and Warner Bros.

2020

Launch of AT&T 5G Network

AT&T launched its 5G network, becoming one of the first telecommunications companies to offer 5G services to consumers, enhancing mobile connectivity and paving the way for future technological advancements.

2021

Spin-off of WarnerMedia

AT&T announced the spin-off of WarnerMedia, merging it with Discovery, Inc., to streamline its focus on telecommunications and reduce debt, while still maintaining a significant stake in the media industry.

2023

Expansion of AT&T Fiber Services

AT&T continued to expand its fiber internet services, reaching millions of additional homes across the United States, emphasizing its commitment to providing high-speed internet access to underserved areas.

2024

AT&T's Commitment to Sustainable Practices

AT&T announced new initiatives aimed at sustainability, including reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy across its operations, reflecting a growing trend towards corporate responsibility in the telecommunications industry.