AT&T INC.

Previous wording

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting declines in Mobility equipment revenue and Business Wireline service revenues, partially offset by Mobility service, Consumer Wireline and Mexico revenues.

Current wording

Operating revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, reflecting declines in Business Wireline service and Mobility equipment revenues, partially offset by Mobility service, Consumer Wireline and Mexico revenues.

Previous wording

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting lower Mobility equipment costs resulting from lower wireless sales volumes. Also contributing to expense declines are our continued transformation efforts that were offset by higher restructuring charges associated with our deployment of Open RAN, our collaboration with Ericsson for commercial scale open radio access network deployment.

Current wording

Expense decreases for the first six months reflect lower Mobility equipment costs and our transformation efforts that were partially offset by higher restructuring charges associated with our deployment of Open RAN.

Previous wording

Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to higher depreciation expense related to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades. Also contributing to higher depreciation expense was the impact of shortening of estimated economic lives of wireless network equipment that will be replaced earlier than originally anticipated with our deployment of Open RAN.

Current wording

Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to the shortening of estimated economic lives of wireless network equipment that will be replaced earlier than originally anticipated with our deployment of Open RAN. Also contributing to higher depreciation expense was the impact of ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades.

Previous wording

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2024. Our operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 19.9% in 2023 to 19.5% in 2024.

Current wording

Operating income decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our operating income margin in the second quarter decreased from 21.4% in 2023 to 19.3% in 2024 and for the first six months decreased from 20.7% in 2023 to 19.4% in 2024.

Previous wording

Interest expense increased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to lower capitalized interest associated with spectrum acquisitions, partially offset by lower debt balances. Interest expense in 2023 also included distributions on Mobility preferred interests, which were repurchased on April 5, 2023.

Current wording

Interest expense increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to lower capitalized interest associated with spectrum acquisitions, partially offset by lower debt balances. Interest expense for the first six months of 2023 also included distributions on Mobility preferred interests, which were repurchased on April 5, 2023.

Previous wording

Equity in net income of affiliates decreased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to the performance of our investment in DIRECTV, which included our share of a gain on a sale-leaseback transaction by DIRECTV of approximately $100 in the first quarter of 2023 (see Note 9).

Current wording

Equity in net income of affiliates decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to the performance of our investment in DIRECTV, which included our share of a gain on a sale-leaseback transaction by DIRECTV of approximately $100 in the first quarter of 2023 (see Note 9).

Previous wording

Other income (expense) – net decreased in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by lower pension and postretirement benefit credits in 2024 (see Note 6), and noncash impairments recognized on a held-for-sale business and an equity investment in a Latin America satellite business.

Current wording

Other income (expense) – net decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. The decreases were primarily driven by lower pension and postretirement benefit credits in 2024 and net actuarial and settlement gains in 2023 with no corresponding remeasurement in 2024 (see Note 6). Also contributing to the decrease for the first six months were first-quarter 2024 noncash impairments recognized on a held-for-sale business and an equity investment in a Latin America satellite business.

Previous wording

Income tax expense decreased in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by lower income before income tax. Our effective tax rate was 23.0% in the first quarter of 2024, versus 22.8% in the comparable period in the prior year.

Current wording

Our effective tax rate was 22.4% in the second quarter of 2024 and 22.7% for the first six months of 2024, versus 22.8% and 22.8% in the comparable periods in the prior year.

Previous wording

Operating revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2024, driven by decreases in our Mobility equipment revenue and Business Wireline business unit, which continues to reflect lower demand for legacy services and product simplification. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our Mobility and Consumer Wireline business units, driven by gains in wireless and broadband services.

Current wording

Operating revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by declines in our Business Wireline business unit, which reflects lower demand for legacy services and product simplification, as well as the absence of revenues from our cybersecurity business that was contributed to a new cybersecurity joint venture LevelBlue in the second quarter of 2024. Revenue declines were also driven by lower Mobility equipment revenue. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our Mobility and Consumer Wireline business units, driven by gains in wireless and broadband services.

Previous wording

Operating income remains consistent in the first quarter of 2024. Our Communications segment operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 23.1% in 2023 to 23.4% in 2024.

Current wording

Operating income decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Communications segment operating income margin in the second quarter decreased from 24.9% in 2023 to 24.5% in 2024 and for the first six months decreased from 24.0% in 2023 to 23.9% in 2024.

Previous wording

Service revenue increased in the first quarter of 2024. The increases are largely due to growth from subscriber gains and postpaid phone average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) growth.

Current wording

Service revenue increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. The increases are largely due to growth from subscriber gains and postpaid phone average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) growth.

Previous wording

ARPU increased in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting pricing actions taken in the third quarter of 2023.

Current wording

ARPU increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, reflecting pricing actions.

Previous wording

The effective management of subscriber churn is critical to our ability to maximize revenue growth and to maintain and improve margins. Postpaid churn and postpaid phone-only churn were lower in the first quarter of 2024.

Current wording

The effective management of subscriber churn is critical to our ability to maximize revenue growth and to maintain and improve margins. Postpaid churn and postpaid phone-only churn were lower in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024.

Previous wording

Equipment revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily driven by a lower wireless sales volumes.

Current wording

Equipment revenue decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by lower wireless sales volumes.

Previous wording

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2024 largely due to lower equipment costs.

Current wording

Operations and support expenses decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to lower equipment costs driven by lower device sales.

Previous wording

Depreciation expense increased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to shortening of estimated economic lives of wireless equipment that will be replaced earlier than originally anticipated with our Open RAN deployment and network transformation, and ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.

Current wording

Depreciation expense increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to shortening of estimated economic lives of wireless equipment that will be replaced earlier than originally anticipated with our Open RAN deployment and network transformation, and ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.

Previous wording

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2024. Our Mobility operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 30.5% in 2023 to 31.4% in 2024. Our Mobility EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 40.7% in 2023 to 43.5% in 2024. EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization.

Current wording

Operating income increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Mobility operating income margin in the second quarter increased from 32.6% in 2023 to 32.8% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 31.5% in 2023 to 32.1% in 2024. Our Mobility EBITDA margin in the second quarter increased from 43.0% in 2023 to 44.9% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 41.8% in 2023 to 44.2% in 2024. EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization.

Previous wording

Service revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2024, driven by lower demand for legacy voice, data and network services along with product simplification, partially offset by growth in connectivity services. We expect these trends to continue.

Current wording

Service revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, driven by lower demand for legacy voice, data and network services along with product simplification, partially offset by growth in connectivity services. We expect these trends to continue. Revenue declines also reflect the absence of revenues from our cybersecurity business that was contributed to LevelBlue.

Previous wording

Equipment revenues increased in the first quarter of 2024, driven by higher customer premises equipment sales, which are nonrecurring in nature.

Current wording

Equipment revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, driven by higher customer premises equipment sales, which are nonrecurring in nature.

Previous wording

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily driven by lower personnel costs associated with ongoing transformation initiatives, lower marketing and customer support expenses, partially offset by higher equipment costs. As part of our transformation activities, we expect operations and support expense improvements through the remainder of 2024 as we further right size our operations in alignment with the strategic direction of the business.

Current wording

Operations and support expenses decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by lower personnel costs associated with ongoing transformation initiatives, and lower network access and customer support expenses. Partially offsetting the decreases were higher vendor credits in the second quarter of 2023 and higher equipment costs for the six-month period. Expense declines also reflect the contribution of our cybersecurity business. As part of our transformation activities, we expect operations and support expense improvements through the remainder of 2024 as we further right size our operations in alignment with the strategic direction of the business.

Previous wording

Depreciation expense increased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to ongoing capital investment for strategic initiatives such as fiber, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.

Current wording

Depreciation expense increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to ongoing capital investment for strategic initiatives such as fiber, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.

Previous wording

Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2024. Our Business Wireline operating income margin in the first quarter decreased from 7.1% in 2023 to 1.3% in 2024. Our Business Wireline EBITDA margin in the first quarter decreased from 32.0% in 2023 to 29.0% in 2024.

Current wording

Operating income decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Business Wireline operating income margin in the second quarter decreased from 7.5% in 2023 to 2.1% in 2024 and for the first six months decreased from 7.3% in 2023 to 1.7% in 2024. Our Business Wireline EBITDA margin in the second quarter decreased from 32.8% in 2023 to 31.3% in 2024 and for the first six months decreased from 32.4% in 2023 to 30.1% in 2024.

Previous wording

Broadband revenues increased in the first quarter of 2024, driven by an increase in fiber customers, which we expect to continue as we invest further in building our fiber footprint, and higher ARPU due to prior-year promotional pricing, partially offset by declines in copper-based broadband services.

Current wording

Broadband revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, driven by an increase in fiber customers, which we expect to continue as we invest further in building our fiber footprint, and higher ARPU due to prior-year promotional pricing, partially offset by declines in copper-based broadband services.

Previous wording

Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the continued decline in demand for these services in favor of other technologies, such as wireless and fiber services.

Current wording

Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, reflecting the continued decline in demand for these services in favor of other technologies, such as wireless and fiber services.

Previous wording

Other service and equipment revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the continued decline in the number of VoIP customers.

Current wording

Other service and equipment revenues decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, reflecting the continued decline in the number of VoIP customers.

Previous wording

Operations and support expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2024. Expense decreases were primarily due to lower customer support costs, partially offset by higher network-related costs as our fiber build scales.

Current wording

Operations and support expenses increased in the second quarter and decreased for the first six months of 2024. Expense increases in the second quarter were primarily due to higher network-related costs as our fiber build scales, largely offset by lower customer support costs. Expense decreases for the first six months were driven by lower customer support costs and operating taxes that were offset by higher network-related costs.

Previous wording

Depreciation expense increased in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades and expansion, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.

Current wording

Depreciation expense increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades and expansion, which we expect to continue through the remainder of 2024.

Previous wording

Operating income increased in the first quarter of 2024. Our Consumer Wireline operating income margin in the first quarter increased from 2.9% in 2023 to 6.4% in 2024. Our Consumer Wireline EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 29.5% in 2023 to 32.7% in 2024.

Current wording

Operating income increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Consumer Wireline operating income margin in the second quarter increased from 5.2% in 2023 to 5.5% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 4.0% in 2023 to 5.9% in 2024. Our Consumer Wireline EBITDA margin in the second quarter increased from 31.5% in 2023 to 32.8% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 30.5% in 2023 to 32.7% in 2024.

Previous wording

Service revenues increased in the first quarter of 2024 reflecting favorable foreign exchange impacts and growth in subscribers.

Current wording

Service revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. The increase in the second quarter was primarily due to growth in subscribers and ARPU, as well as favorable foreign exchange impacts. The increase for the first six months reflects favorable exchange rates primarily from the first quarter of 2024, with subscriber and ARPU growth also contributing to higher revenues.

Previous wording

Equipment revenues increased in the first quarter of 2024 driven by higher equipment sales and favorable foreign exchange impacts.

Current wording

Equipment revenues increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by higher equipment sales and favorable foreign exchange impacts.

Previous wording

Operations and support expenses increased in the first quarter of 2024 driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and increased equipment costs resulting from higher sales. Approximately 4% of Mexico expenses are U.S. dollar based, with the remainder in the local currency.

Current wording

Operations and support expenses increased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily due to increased equipment and selling costs resulting from higher sales and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange. Approximately 4% of Mexico expenses are U.S. dollar based, with the remainder in the local currency.

Previous wording

Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the first quarter of 2024 driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange partially offset by lower in-service assets.

Current wording

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, primarily driven by lower in-service assets, partially offset by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.

Previous wording

Operating income improved in the first quarter of 2024. Our Mexico operating income margin in the first quarter increased from (3.4)% in 2023 to 0.3% in 2024. Our Mexico EBITDA margin in the first quarter increased from 16.4% in 2023 to 16.9% in 2024.

Current wording

Operating income improved in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024. Our Mexico operating income margin in the second quarter increased from (4.0)% in 2023 to 0.5% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from (3.7)% in 2023 to 0.4% in 2024. Our Mexico EBITDA margin in the second quarter increased from 15.1% in 2023 to 16.1% in 2024 and for the first six months increased from 15.7% in 2023 to 16.5% in 2024.

Previous wording

Until 2015, the FCC classified fixed and mobile consumer broadband internet access services as information services subject to minimal regulation. In 2015, the FCC reclassified such services as telecommunications services subject to broader regulation by the FCC and imposed “net neutrality rules.” Since then, the FCC has twice reversed course, most recently again reclassifying such services as telecommunications services subject to broader regulation by the FCC on April 25, 2024, in a yet-to-be released order.

Current wording

Until 2015, the FCC classified fixed and mobile consumer broadband internet access services as information services subject to minimal regulation. In 2015, the FCC reclassified such services as telecommunications services subject to broader regulation by the FCC and imposed “net neutrality rules.” Since then, the FCC has twice reversed course, most recently again reclassifying such services as telecommunications services subject to broader regulation by the FCC in an order adopted on April 25, 2024, and scheduled to take effect on July 22, 2024. Multiple trade associations and other parties have challenged the FCC’s reclassification decision in appeals consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The trade associations have petitioned the Sixth Circuit to stay the FCC’s order. On July 12, 2024, the Sixth Circuit issued a temporary administrative stay of the FCC order until August 5, 2024, and requested additional briefing from the parties on the impact of the recent United States Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo.

Previous wording

Since 2018, some states have adopted legislation or issued executive orders that established state net neutrality rules. Suits were filed challenging two such laws in California and Vermont. The California statute is now in effect. The challenge to the Vermont statute was stayed pending resolution of a separate challenge to a New York statute raising similar preemption issues. On April 26, 2024, the Second Circuit overturned a lower court’s decision that the New York statute was preempted, which could have the effect of restarting the Vermont litigation. We expect additional states may seek to impose net neutrality and other requirements on broadband in the future.

Current wording

Since 2018, some states have adopted legislation or issued executive orders that established state net neutrality rules, including California and Vermont. We expect additional states may seek to impose net neutrality and other requirements on broadband in the future.

Previous wording

On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law. The legislation appropriates $65,000 to support broadband deployment and adoption. The National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) is responsible for distributing more than $48,000 of this funding, including $42,500 in state grants for broadband deployment projects in unserved and underserved areas through the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Programs. NTIA and states are in the process of administering these grants. Where appropriate, AT&T may apply for grants under this or other government infrastructure programs. The IIJA also appropriated $14,200 for establishment of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an FCC-administered monthly, low-income broadband benefit program, replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit program (established in December 2020 by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Qualifying customers can receive up to thirty dollars per month (or seventy-five dollars per month for those on Tribal lands) to assist with their internet bill. AT&T is a participating provider in the ACP program. Absent additional funding, on January 11, 2024 the FCC announced that it currently projects April 2024 to be the last month providers will be fully reimbursed for the ACP benefit provided to enrolled households and established February 7, 2024 as the last date for new enrollments into the program. On March 4, 2024, the FCC issued a Public Notice confirming that April 2024 is the last fully funded month for the ACP benefit.

Current wording

On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law. The legislation appropriates $65,000 to support broadband deployment and adoption. The National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) is responsible for distributing more than $48,000 of this funding, including $42,500 in state grants for broadband deployment projects in unserved and underserved areas through the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Programs. NTIA and states are in the process of administering these grants. Where appropriate, AT&T has applied for, and in some cases has been awarded, and may continue to apply for grants under this or other government infrastructure programs. The IIJA also appropriated $14,200 for establishment of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an FCC-administered monthly, low-income broadband benefit program, replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit program (established in December 2020 by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Qualifying customers can receive up to thirty dollars per month (or seventy-five dollars per month for those on Tribal lands) to assist with their internet bill. AT&T participated in the ACP program. On March 4, 2024, the FCC announced that absent additional funding from Congress, April 2024 would be the last fully funded month for the ACP benefit. The ACP has now ended.

Previous wording

We had $3,520 in cash and cash equivalents available at March 31, 2024, decreasing $3,202 since December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents included cash of $1,202 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $2,318. Approximately $1,435 of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign entities in accounts predominantly outside of the U.S. and may be subject to restrictions on repatriation.

Current wording

We had $3,093 in cash and cash equivalents available at June 30, 2024, decreasing $3,629 since December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents included cash of $1,094 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $1,999. Approximately $1,397 of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign entities in accounts predominantly outside of the U.S. and may be subject to restrictions on repatriation.

Previous wording

For the first three months of 2024, cash inflows were primarily provided by cash receipts from operations, including cash from our sale and transfer of our receivables to third parties, issuance of commercial paper and distributions from DIRECTV. These inflows were exceeded by cash used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses, repayment of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, funding capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, and dividend payments to stockholders. We maintain availability under our credit facilities and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements.

Current wording

For the first six months of 2024, cash inflows were primarily provided by cash receipts from operations, including cash from our sale and transfer of our receivables to third parties, issuance of commercial paper and distributions from DIRECTV. These inflows were exceeded by cash used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses. The cash generated from operating activities was used to repay short-term borrowings and long-term debt, funding capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, and dividend payments to stockholders. We maintain availability under our credit facilities and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements.

Previous wording

During the first three months of 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $7,547, compared to $6,678 for the first three months of 2023, reflecting operational growth and timing of working capital, including the expansion of committed, cost-efficient receivable sales programs that were partially offset by higher device payments.

Current wording

During the first six months of 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $16,640, compared to $16,600 for the first six months of 2023, reflecting operational growth and timing of working capital associated with device payments, as well as the first-quarter 2024 expansion of committed, cost-efficient receivable sales programs.

Previous wording

We actively manage the timing of our supplier payments for operating items to optimize the use of our cash. Among other things, we seek to make payments on 90-day or greater terms, while providing the suppliers with access to bank facilities that permit earlier payments at their cost (referred to as supplier financing program). In addition, for payments to suppliers of handset inventory, as part of our working capital initiatives, we have arrangements that allow us to extend the stated payment terms by up to 90 days at an additional cost to us (referred to as direct supplier financing). The net impact of direct supplier financing, including principal and interest payments, was to decrease cash from operating activities $1,584 and $432 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All supplier financing payments are due within one year. (See Note 10)

Current wording

We actively manage the timing of our supplier payments for operating items to optimize the use of our cash. Among other things, we seek to make payments on 90-day or greater terms, while providing the suppliers with access to bank facilities that permit earlier payments at their cost (referred to as supplier financing program). In addition, for payments to suppliers of handset inventory, as part of our working capital initiatives, we have arrangements that allow us to extend the stated payment terms by up to 90 days at an additional cost to us (referred to as direct supplier financing). The net impact of direct supplier financing, including principal and interest payments, was to decrease cash from operating activities approximately $2,120 and $2,100 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All supplier financing payments are due within one year. (See Note 10)