AT&T Mobility
AT&T Mobility LLC is the primary wireless telecommunications subsidiary of AT&T Inc., delivering nationwide high-speed 5G voice and data services to consumer, business, and wholesale subscribers throughout the United States.[1]
Originating from the pioneering launch of commercial cellular telephone service on October 13, 1983, in Chicago, AT&T Mobility evolved through mergers, including the acquisition of AT&T Wireless by Cingular Wireless in 2004 and subsequent rebranding to AT&T Mobility in 2007 following AT&T's corporate restructuring.[2][3]
As of 2025, it operates the largest wireless network in North America by coverage, holding approximately 29% of the U.S. wireless market share and serving over 110 million postpaid phone subscribers, with ongoing expansions in 5G and fiber integration driving subscriber growth.[4][5][6]
Notable achievements include leading mid-band 5G deployment and innovations in mobile connectivity that have transformed consumer and enterprise communications, though the company has encountered controversies such as a 2024 data breach exposing call records of nearly all customers and regulatory fines for misleading data practices and throttling.[4][7][8][9]
Company Overview
Formation and Ownership
AT&T Mobility traces its origins to Cingular Wireless LLC, established in April 2000 as a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corporation to consolidate their wireless operations.[10] Initially, SBC held a 60% stake while BellSouth owned 40%, enabling Cingular to launch as a unified brand serving over 20 million customers across multiple regions.[11] In February 2004, Cingular announced its $41 billion acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services Inc., a transaction approved by regulators and completed on October 26, 2004, which expanded its subscriber base to approximately 46 million and positioned it as the largest U.S. wireless provider at the time.[12][13] This merger integrated AT&T Wireless's national footprint, including advanced EDGE network capabilities, into Cingular's primarily regional infrastructure. Subsequent corporate consolidations solidified AT&T Mobility's structure. SBC Communications acquired AT&T Corp. for $16 billion, closing on November 18, 2005, after which SBC rebranded as AT&T Inc.[14][15] AT&T Inc. then purchased BellSouth for $86 billion, finalized on December 29, 2006, granting it 100% ownership of Cingular.[16][17] Cingular was rebranded as AT&T Mobility starting in January 2007, with the transition completing by mid-year.[18] AT&T Mobility has since operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Inc., with no changes to this ownership structure as of 2025.[19][20]Market Position and Scale
AT&T Mobility ranks as one of the three leading wireless providers in the United States, alongside Verizon and T-Mobile US, collectively controlling the majority of the market. As of early 2025, T-Mobile held a 35% market share, Verizon 34%, with AT&T maintaining a substantial position among the dominant carriers in a sector characterized by high subscriber penetration and maturing growth.[21] In 2023, AT&T's share stood at 32.8%, reflecting its established scale despite competitive pressures from spectrum auctions and 5G deployments that have enabled rivals' gains.[22] The division's scale is evidenced by its revenue generation, with wireless service revenues reaching $68.04 billion in 2024, comprising 55.62% of AT&T Inc.'s total revenues and underscoring mobility as the core business driver.[23] In the third quarter of 2025, mobility revenues totaled $21.71 billion, supported by postpaid phone average revenue per user growth and equipment sales, though slightly below analyst expectations.[24] Subscriber metrics further highlight its position: AT&T added 405,000 net postpaid phone subscribers in Q3 2025, exceeding forecasts and indicating sustained demand for bundled services amid a saturated U.S. wireless market of approximately 579 million total connections as of 2024.[25][26] AT&T's network infrastructure supports broad coverage, with ongoing investments in 5G enabling convergence with fiber broadband, where over 41% of fiber households also subscribe to mobility services as of Q3 2025.[25] This integration bolsters retention in a competitive landscape, where postpaid churn remained low at 0.92% for the quarter.[27]Historical Development
Origins in Regional Bell Operating Companies
Following the divestiture of AT&T Corporation mandated by a 1982 antitrust consent decree and effective January 1, 1984, the Bell System was restructured into seven independent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), each responsible for local telephone service in designated regions.[28] These RBOCs, including Southwestern Bell Corporation and BellSouth Corporation, received allocations of cellular spectrum licenses from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which had reserved one of two available licenses in each market for incumbent wireline telephone companies to facilitate rapid deployment of cellular technology.[29] This allocation positioned the RBOCs as early pioneers in commercial cellular service, leveraging their existing wireline infrastructure for mobile telephony rollout. Southwestern Bell Corporation, operating primarily in the South Central and Southwestern United States, established Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems as its wireless division shortly after the divestiture. This entity traced its roots to the pre-divestiture Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) experiments but focused post-1984 on deploying non-wireline cellular networks under FCC licenses granted to local operating companies.[30] By the late 1980s, Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems had expanded service in major markets like St. Louis and Dallas, initially offering analog AMPS-based mobile phone service to business and affluent customers. Similarly, BellSouth Corporation, serving the Southeast, launched BellSouth Mobility in March 1984 with an initial cellular system in Chattanooga, Tennessee, through a joint venture that quickly scaled to cover Atlanta and other regional hubs.[31] BellSouth Mobility emphasized enterprise solutions and gradually built out coverage across nine states, investing heavily in infrastructure to compete with emerging non-wireline carriers.[32] These RBOC wireless operations formed the foundational assets of what became AT&T Mobility. In April 2000, SBC Communications Inc.—the successor to Southwestern Bell after acquisitions of Pacific Telesis and Ameritech—and BellSouth Corporation merged their cellular businesses into Cingular Wireless LLC, a 60/40 joint venture (SBC majority-owned) headquartered in Atlanta.[33] This consolidation created the second-largest U.S. wireless provider at the time, with over 11 million subscribers and nationwide roaming capabilities built on the RBOCs' complementary regional footprints. Cingular's formation marked a strategic pivot by the RBOCs toward integrated wireless services, distinct from the legacy long-distance focus of the divested AT&T Corporation. Subsequent SBC-led restructurings, including the 2005 acquisition of AT&T Corporation and 2006 purchase of BellSouth, unified these RBOC-originated assets under the AT&T brand, rebranding Cingular to AT&T Mobility in 2007.[3]Cingular Wireless Formation and Expansion
Cingular Wireless LLC was formed on October 10, 2000, as a limited liability company through a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc., holding a 60% ownership stake, and BellSouth Corporation, with 40%.[34] This structure consolidated the separate wireless subsidiaries of SBC and BellSouth—Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems and BellSouth Mobility—which had originated as cellular operations licensed to the Regional Bell Operating Companies after the 1984 AT&T divestiture.[33] The venture's creation enabled unified branding and operational efficiencies across overlapping service areas in the southeastern and southwestern United States, initially targeting major metropolitan markets with analog-to-digital network migrations. The Cingular name derived from a combination of "cellular" and the parent companies' regional identities, reflecting a strategy to build a national-scale competitor in an industry marked by rapid consolidation and technological shifts toward digital standards like TDMA and emerging GSM.[11] Post-formation, Cingular prioritized network expansion, leveraging the combined spectrum holdings and infrastructure of its parents to cover approximately 90% of the U.S. population with digital services by the early 2000s. In 2001, it established the GSM Fabric joint venture with T-Mobile USA to share GSM infrastructure costs in the New York City metropolitan area, facilitating efficient rollout of compatible technology amid spectrum constraints.[33] Expansion efforts included aggressive subscriber acquisition through bundled wireline-wireless offerings and marketing campaigns emphasizing reliability, such as the "fewer dropped calls" slogan introduced in 2002. By 2003, Cingular operated the largest digital voice and data network in the nation, serving millions of customers across 49 states with enhanced data capabilities via GPRS.[35] These initiatives drove steady market share gains in a competitive landscape dominated by Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS, positioning Cingular as a leading GSM provider before further scale via major acquisitions. The joint venture's success stemmed from cost synergies—estimated at hundreds of millions annually—and integrated retail channels, though it faced challenges from uneven regional coverage and the need for ongoing capital investments in 3G precursors.[33]AT&T Wireless Merger and Rebranding
On February 17, 2004, Cingular Wireless LLC, a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth Corporation, announced an agreement to acquire AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $41 billion, or $15 per share.[36][37] The deal aimed to create the largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers, combining Cingular's roughly 25 million customers with AT&T Wireless's 22 million.[36] The merger agreement included provisions for Cingular to assume AT&T Wireless's debt and preferred stock obligations, totaling about $8 billion.[37] The acquisition faced regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission over potential market concentration, particularly in spectrum holdings and regional overlaps.[38] After divestitures of certain assets in overlapping markets, the transaction closed on October 26, 2004, with Cingular emerging as the dominant player holding over 46 million subscribers nationwide.[39] Post-merger integration efforts focused on network unification, migrating AT&T Wireless customers to Cingular's GSM-based infrastructure while phasing out the tdma and iDEN technologies, which required significant capital expenditure estimated at $2-3 billion annually.[38] Subsequent corporate restructurings paved the way for rebranding. In November 2005, SBC Communications completed its $16 billion acquisition of AT&T Corporation and adopted the AT&T name for the combined entity.[40] On March 5, 2006, AT&T announced its $67 billion purchase of BellSouth, which closed on December 29, 2006, granting AT&T full ownership of Cingular by eliminating the joint venture structure.[41][42] In January 2007, shortly after securing sole ownership, AT&T initiated the rebranding of Cingular to AT&T Mobility, restoring the AT&T name to wireless services to leverage brand equity from the legacy wireline operations while distinguishing it from the divested AT&T Wireless entity.[43][44] The transition began with advertising campaigns on January 15, 2007, and accelerated through 2007, involving updates to over 2,200 retail stores, millions of handsets, and marketing materials at a reported cost exceeding $1 billion.[45] By mid-2007, the Cingular brand was largely retired, with AT&T Mobility positioned as the unified wireless subsidiary offering integrated voice, data, and emerging broadband services.[46]Acquisitions, Divestitures, and Failed Deals
In 2007, AT&T Mobility acquired Dobson Communications Corporation, a rural wireless operator serving approximately 2.7 million subscribers across 40 states, for $2.8 billion in cash plus the assumption of $2.3 billion in debt, totaling about $5.1 billion.[47][48] The deal, announced on June 29 and completed on November 16, aimed to enhance AT&T's rural coverage and integrate Dobson's GSM network with its own, while requiring divestitures of certain assets in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and other markets to preserve competition, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Justice.[49][50] AT&T Mobility followed with the acquisition of Centennial Communications Corp. in 2009, purchasing the rural wireline and wireless provider for $944 million in cash, or $8.50 per share, in a transaction announced on November 7, 2008, and closed on November 6, 2009.[51][52] This expanded AT&T's footprint in 13 states, particularly in the Southeast and Midwest, adding wireless operations with about 315,000 subscribers; however, the Department of Justice required divestitures of overlapping assets in eight Louisiana and Mississippi markets to mitigate anticompetitive effects.[53][54] A major failed deal occurred in 2011 when AT&T announced its intent to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion on March 20, aiming to combine the second- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless carriers to bolster network capacity amid iPhone demand.[55] The proposal faced intense regulatory scrutiny, with the U.S. Department of Justice filing an antitrust lawsuit on August 31 to block it, citing reduced competition, higher prices, and fewer choices for consumers, followed by FCC opposition.[56] AT&T abandoned the bid on December 19, paying a $4 billion breakup fee to Deutsche Telekom, as the merger risked violating horizontal merger guidelines by concentrating over 40% of the national wireless market.[57][58] AT&T Mobility has pursued few outright divestitures independent of acquisition conditions, focusing instead on spectrum optimization and regulatory compliance; for instance, no large-scale wireless asset sales have materially altered its core operations, though minor spectrum returns or swaps have occurred in FCC auctions to meet buildout requirements.[59]Evolution from 2012 to Present
Following the failed attempt to acquire T-Mobile in 2011, AT&T Mobility prioritized organic network expansion and spectrum accumulation to bolster its 4G LTE capabilities. In 2012, the company doubled its LTE coverage to reach more than 150 million people across the United States, investing nearly $20 billion in wired and wireless infrastructure upgrades. That year, AT&T acquired NextWave Wireless for up to $600 million primarily to secure Wireless Communications Service (WCS) spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band, enabling further LTE enhancements despite regulatory hurdles for WCS compatibility. These efforts supported growing mobile data demand, with LTE markets expanding from 38 in early 2012 to additional deployments throughout the year. In 2014, AT&T expanded its prepaid segment by acquiring Leap Wireless International, operator of Cricket Wireless, for $1.19 billion, a deal approved by the FCC with conditions including divestitures of certain spectrum assets. The acquisition integrated Cricket's CDMA-based network onto AT&T's GSM/LTE infrastructure over 12-18 months, re-launching Cricket as AT&T's flagship prepaid brand and broadening access to affordable mobile services for underserved markets. This move contributed to steady subscriber growth, with mobility service revenues rising consistently thereafter. AT&T Mobility initiated its 5G deployment on December 21, 2018, launching mobile 5G service in 12 U.S. cities using low- and mid-band spectrum, followed by millimeter-wave 5G+ rollout starting March 6, 2020, in select areas. By 2025, low-band 5G coverage extended to over 320 million people in more than 27,300 cities and towns. To support advanced 5G features, AT&T acquired FiberTower in 2017 for 24 and 39 GHz spectrum assets targeted at high-capacity urban deployments. In August 2025, the company agreed to purchase additional low- and mid-band spectrum licenses from EchoStar for approximately $23 billion, adding about 50 MHz on average across nearly 400 U.S. markets to enhance capacity. Network modernization accelerated in the mid-2020s, with AT&T deploying standalone (SA) 5G nationwide by October 8, 2025, enabling cloud-native core operations and future innovations like network slicing. Partnerships, such as with Ericsson announced in September 2025, focused on radio access network (RAN) upgrades and operational efficiency. Subscriber metrics reflected sustained growth: postpaid phone subscribers reached 73.4 million by Q2 2025, with 401,000 net additions that quarter, followed by 405,000 in Q3. Mobility revenues increased 6.7% year-over-year in Q2 2025, driven by postpaid ARPU gains and service expansion, aligning with AT&T's strategic refocus on wireless and fiber after divesting non-core media assets.Key Milestones in the 2020s
In 2021, AT&T Mobility advanced its 5G deployment strategy, prioritizing midband spectrum to expand coverage for consumers, businesses, and first responders, building on initial low-band 5G launches from 2020.[60] This included commitments to enhance network reliability and integrate 5G with existing 4G LTE infrastructure for broader accessibility.[61] By 2023, AT&T Mobility achieved significant subscriber growth, adding over 1.7 million postpaid phone net adds, fueled by competitive 5G offerings and pricing strategies that captured market share from rivals.[62] The company also initiated Open RAN trials to diversify equipment suppliers and reduce dependency on traditional vendors, marking a step toward cost efficiencies in network upgrades.[63] A major setback occurred on February 22, 2024, when a nationwide wireless outage disrupted service for tens of millions of customers across the U.S. for up to 12 hours, stemming from an internal software configuration error during a network expansion process rather than external factors like cyberattacks.[64] Later that year, in April, hackers accessed six months of call and text metadata for nearly all AT&T cellular customers, though no content or location data was compromised; AT&T disclosed the breach in July and cooperated with law enforcement.[65][66] In May 2024, AT&T Mobility signed a commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile to integrate satellite-based cellular service, enabling direct-to-device connectivity for unmodified smartphones and extending coverage to remote areas without terrestrial infrastructure.[67] By October 8, 2025, the division rolled out its 5G Standalone (SA) network nationwide, decoupling it from 4G LTE cores to support advanced capabilities like low-latency slicing and improved efficiency for millions of users.[68] This milestone followed years of hybrid non-standalone 5G builds and positioned AT&T to compete more directly with T-Mobile's earlier SA leadership.[69]Core Services and Products
Postpaid and Prepaid Wireless Plans
AT&T Mobility's postpaid wireless plans require a credit check and involve billing after service usage, providing access to the carrier's full network priority and additional perks such as device installment financing and frequent upgrade options.[70] As of 2025, the primary offerings are unlimited data plans, including Unlimited Starter SL at $65.99 per month for a single line (with discounts to $35.99 per line for four lines), featuring 5GB of high-speed hotspot data and unlimited talk and text; Unlimited Extra EL at $75.99 per month single line, with 75GB premium data before potential deprioritization; and Unlimited Premium PL at $85.99 per month, offering unlimited premium data, 50GB hotspot, and enhanced international features like roaming in 20 Latin American countries.[71][72] Specialized postpaid plans, such as the AT&T 55+ plan introduced in June 2025, provide unlimited service for $40 per month on one line or $35 per line for two, targeting seniors with simplified pricing but limited to domestic usage.[73] These plans generally include 5G access where available and bundle options for streaming services, though premium data allowances vary to manage network congestion.[74] In contrast, AT&T Prepaid plans operate on a pay-in-advance model without contracts or credit checks, appealing to users seeking flexibility and lower upfront costs, though they often feature lower data priority during congestion compared to postpaid equivalents.[75] Standard prepaid tiers as of 2025 include a $30 monthly plan with 5GB high-speed data, suitable for light users; a $40 plan with 15GB; and unlimited options starting at $50 per month, with annual payments reducing effective costs to $20 per month for unlimited data over 12 months at $240 upfront.[76][77] Prepaid unlimited plans provide 5G access and hotspot data (typically 5-10GB high-speed), but lack the extensive international roaming and device trade-in promotions of postpaid service; however, they support multi-month discounts and family plan pooling for up to 10 lines.[78]| Plan Type | Example Pricing (Single Line, Monthly) | Key Features | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postpaid Unlimited Starter | $65.99 | Unlimited data/talk/text, 5GB hotspot, 5G | Deprioritization after premium data |
| Postpaid Unlimited Premium | $85.99 | Unlimited premium data, 50GB hotspot, international roaming | Higher cost |
| Prepaid 5GB | $30 | 5GB high-speed data, unlimited talk/text | No hotspot, lower priority |
| Prepaid Unlimited (Monthly) | $50 | Unlimited data, 5G, basic hotspot | Fewer perks, potential deprioritization |
Advanced Features and Bundling Options
AT&T Mobility's advanced wireless features emphasize enhanced security, network optimization, and flexible data usage across its unlimited plans. All unlimited plans include AT&T ActiveArmor advanced mobile security, a free app providing spam blocking, call screening, and identity monitoring to protect against threats like phishing and data breaches.[79] These plans also grant access to AT&T 5G, supporting higher speeds and lower latency for applications such as augmented reality and cloud gaming, with mid-band and mmWave spectrum enabling peak download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps in select urban areas as of 2025.[79] Additional features encompass unlimited hotspot data (capped at varying speeds per plan tier, e.g., 100 GB of premium data before reduction to 5 Mbps on higher-end options) and seamless integration with eSIM for quick device activation without physical cards.[79] The Unlimited Your Way program allows customization per line within a family account, enabling mix-and-match selections such as Unlimited Starter SL for basic needs (with 5G access and basic hotspot) or premium tiers like Unlimited Extra EL for reduced video streaming resolution to conserve data while maintaining priority network access during congestion.[80] International roaming is standardized across plans, offering unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico without extra fees, though speeds may throttle after 22 GB of usage per line in Mexico to manage network load.[79] Bundling options integrate AT&T Mobility services with home broadband and entertainment for cost savings, targeting multi-service households. The All in One bundle provides 20% monthly discounts on either wireless or AT&T Fiber internet bills when both are subscribed, alongside incentives like up to $800 in bill credits for switching providers and annual free phone upgrades for three years on eligible plans.[81][82] Wireless plans can pair with DirecTV Stream or AT&T TV packages starting at $69.99 per month for entry-level entertainment, yielding combined discounts and unified billing, though premium sports tiers exceed $139.99 monthly before bundling reductions.[83] Multi-line family plans offer progressive discounts, with four unlimited lines available for as low as $25 per line monthly under promotional deals for existing internet customers, saving over $800 annually compared to standalone pricing.[84] Age-specific bundles, such as the 55+ Unlimited plan at $40 monthly for one line or $35 per line for two (including home internet for $99 total on dual lines), further reduce costs while retaining core features like 5G and ActiveArmor.[85] These options prioritize empirical cost efficiencies from converged services, though actual savings depend on usage and eligibility, with no data caps on bundled fiber to support high-demand wireless offloading via Wi-Fi.[86]Device Ecosystem and Financing
AT&T Mobility maintains a broad device ecosystem encompassing smartphones, tablets, and wearables compatible with its GSM-based network, supporting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) options for most unlocked, certified models from leading manufacturers.[87] The carrier sells and certifies devices from brands including Apple (iPhone 6 and newer), Samsung (Galaxy series), Google (Pixel series), Motorola, and others such as OnePlus and Alcatel, ensuring compatibility through rigorous testing for network bands like LTE and 5G.[88] Tablets approved include Apple iPad models from the 3rd generation onward and various Android variants, while wearables feature smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Google, often bundled with cellular connectivity for independent operation.[89] This ecosystem emphasizes integration with AT&T's services, such as eSIM activation for seamless setup, though compatibility requires devices supporting specific frequency bands to avoid coverage gaps.[90] Financing options center on the AT&T Installment Plan, which spreads device costs over 36 months at 0% APR for qualified customers, with payments ranging from approximately $23 to $59 monthly depending on the device price and credit approval.[91] For early upgrades, the Next Up program adds a $6 monthly fee, allowing trade-in eligibility after 12 payments on a standard plan, while the enhanced Next Up Anytime option, introduced in July 2024 for an additional $10 per month, permits upgrades after just one-third of the device cost is paid (typically 12 months) and can be applied up to three times annually without covering the remaining balance.[92][93] These plans often pair with trade-in credits—up to $1,000 or more for eligible devices—and promotional deals, such as bill credits reducing effective costs, though full payoff or satisfaction of upgrade terms is required to avoid early termination fees on the financed balance.[94] Device financing ties into broader promotions, including zero-down offers for well-qualified buyers, fostering customer retention through frequent access to new hardware amid rapid technological cycles.[95]Network Technology and Infrastructure
Evolution of Wireless Standards
AT&T Mobility's wireless network originated with analog Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) in the 1980s, transitioning to digital standards in the early 2000s with the implementation of the first GSM/GPRS network in 2000, marking the shift to 2G capabilities for voice and basic data services.[96] This GSM adoption built on earlier TDMA systems used by AT&T Wireless predecessors, enabling global compatibility and paving the way for enhanced packet data via GPRS and later EDGE enhancements, though the full 2G GSM network was phased out by December 2016 to reallocate spectrum for advanced technologies.[97] The rollout of 3G UMTS began in July 2004, with initial deployments in Detroit, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle, offering broadband-like data speeds up to 384 kbps initially and supporting early mobile internet and multimedia services.[98] Subsequent upgrades to HSPA and HSPA+ in the late 2000s improved downlink speeds to over 20 Mbps in select areas, which AT&T marketed as "4G" prior to true LTE availability, though these remained evolutions of UMTS rather than a distinct generational leap; the 3G network was fully discontinued on February 22, 2022, to prioritize 4G and 5G capacity.[99] AT&T launched its 4G LTE network on September 18, 2011, starting in five metropolitan areas—Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio—with expansion to 15 additional markets by year-end and broader coverage reaching over 100 million people by mid-2012.[100] By June 2013, LTE was available in 22 more markets, with the carrier targeting 300 million people covered by the end of 2014 through aggressive spectrum refarming and site upgrades, delivering peak speeds up to 100 Mbps and forming the backbone for modern smartphone data demands.[101] True 5G NR deployment commenced on December 21, 2018, with the first mobile 5G service in the U.S. using sub-6 GHz spectrum for fixed wireless access, evolving to consumer mobile 5G nationwide by 2020 across low-band frequencies covering over 320 million people.[102] Mid-band C-band additions in 2022 enhanced urban capacity, while standalone (SA) 5G architecture—enabling full network slicing and edge computing—was rolled out nationwide to millions of customers by October 2025, transitioning from non-standalone reliance on LTE core for improved latency under 10 ms and support for IoT and enterprise applications.[103] AT&T committed to maintaining LTE through at least 2027 as a fallback during 5G maturation.[104]Spectrum Assets and Frequency Bands
AT&T Mobility operates a spectrum portfolio comprising low-band frequencies below 1 GHz for extensive coverage and indoor penetration, mid-band spectrum between 1 and 6 GHz for balanced capacity and range in 5G deployments, and high-band millimeter wave above 24 GHz for ultra-high-speed applications in dense urban areas. These assets support both legacy 4G LTE and 5G NR networks, with low- and mid-band prioritized for nationwide 5G rollout due to superior propagation characteristics compared to high-band limitations. As of 2025, AT&T's holdings emphasize low-band depth for reliability, supplemented by mid-band acquisitions to enhance 5G throughput, though it trails competitors in total mid-band megahertz in some markets prior to recent deals.[105] In low-band, AT&T utilizes the 600 MHz range (3GPP band n71) for supplemental coverage 5G, initially acquired via FCC Auction 103 in 2020 with licenses providing up to 40 MHz in select areas; an additional approximately 20 MHz nationwide is pending acquisition from EchoStar, announced August 26, 2025, to bolster rural and indoor reach across nearly all U.S. markets. The 700 MHz block (bands 12 and 17) forms the core LTE coverage foundation, repurposed for 5G standalone in compatible devices, with holdings derived from early FCC auctions and reallocations yielding 10-20 MHz per market for broad propagation. Legacy 850 MHz Cellular spectrum (band n5) further anchors low-band 5G, offering 10-15 MHz carriers for penetration in suburban and urban fringes, inherited from pre-merger assets like BellSouth.[106][107] Mid-band assets provide the primary capacity for AT&T's 5G+ service, including AWS bands (1.7-2.1 GHz, n66) with 20-45 MHz from FCC Auctions 66, 73, and 97, enabling efficient urban deployment; PCS spectrum (1.9 GHz, n2) adds 20-60 MHz via historical auctions for high-capacity overlays. C-band (3.7-3.98 GHz, n77) contributes up to 100 MHz in major markets from FCC Auction 107 in 2021, deployed since 2022 for mid-band 5G+ covering over 200 million people by balancing speed and coverage. The pending EchoStar deal adds ~30 MHz at 3.45 GHz nationwide, compatible with existing mid-band infrastructure for further 5G enhancement across 400 markets.[107][108] High-band holdings are limited to mmWave, primarily 39 GHz (band n260) with 400-800 MHz blocks acquired through FCC auctions like 103 and 105, focused on fixed wireless access and enterprise in high-density zones such as stadiums, though deployment lags due to propagation challenges and equipment costs.[105]| Frequency Range | 3GPP Band | Spectrum Type | Key Holdings and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 617-652 MHz (uplink), 663-698 MHz (downlink) | n71 | Low-band | ~20-40 MHz; from FCC Auction 103 (2020); +20 MHz pending from EchoStar (2025) for coverage.[106] |
| 698-716 / 728-746 MHz (A/B blocks), etc. | 12/17 (LTE/5G) | Low-band | 10-20 MHz per market; early FCC reallocations for primary coverage.[109] |
| 824-849 / 869-894 MHz | n5 | Low-band | 10-15 MHz; legacy Cellular for 5G penetration.[107] |
| 1710-1755 / 2110-2155 MHz | n66 | Mid-band | 20-45 MHz; AWS auctions (2006-2015) for urban capacity.[107] |
| 1850-1915 / 1930-1995 MHz | n2 | Mid-band | 20-60 MHz; PCS auctions for high-density 5G.[107] |
| 3700-3980 MHz | n77 | Mid-band | Up to 100 MHz; C-band Auction 107 (2021) for 5G+ in 200M+ people.[108] |
| ~3.45 GHz | (CBRS-adjacent) | Mid-band | ~30 MHz pending; EchoStar acquisition (2025) for nationwide expansion.[106] |
| 37-40 GHz | n260 | High-band (mmWave) | 400-800 MHz; FCC mmWave auctions for peak speeds in select areas.[105] |
Coverage, Capacity, and Reliability Metrics
AT&T Mobility's wireless network provides coverage to over 99% of the U.S. population based on licensed areas, encompassing both urban and rural regions with a focus on low-band spectrum for broad reach.[110] As of September 2025, the network spans more geographic area than competitors, including 300,000 additional square miles compared to T-Mobile's footprint, contributing to its edge in overall accessibility.[111] Independent testing by RootMetrics in the first half of 2025 confirmed AT&T's leadership in nationwide coverage consistency, particularly in combined 4G/5G performance across diverse terrains.[112] For 5G specifically, AT&T achieved nationwide RedCap coverage by July 2025, serving more than 200 million population points, though mid-band 5G deployment remains denser in urban zones than rural ones.[113] Network capacity metrics highlight AT&T's emphasis on high-throughput performance, with RootMetrics awarding it the fastest wireless network nationally in the first half of 2025 based on drive tests measuring download speeds averaging over those of Verizon and T-Mobile in overall scenarios.[114] [112] Ookla's Speedtest data corroborated this, naming AT&T's mobile network the quickest in the nation as of September 2025, with particular strength in 5th percentile speeds that indicate consistent performance under load.[111] However, Opensignal's June 2025 report noted T-Mobile's lead in pure 5G download speeds, attributing AT&T's capacity advantages to its extensive low- and mid-band spectrum holdings that prioritize reliable volume over peak bursts.[115] Capacity expansion efforts, including fiber backhaul integration, have supported handling peak data demands, with no widespread congestion reported in major metrics for 2025. Reliability stands out in empirical assessments, where AT&T earned RootMetrics' Most Reliable Wireless Network award for the first half of 2025, excelling in call success rates, data session stability, and minimal dropped connections across tests.[112] Opensignal measured AT&T's network availability at 99.6% in June 2025, edging out Verizon's 99.5% by tracking the proportion of time users could connect successfully.[115] While a February 2024 outage affected millions due to a software fault in a backbone router—leading to an FCC investigation into "sunny day" failure safeguards—subsequent metrics show resilience, with RootMetrics noting fewer interruptions than peers in 2025 drive tests.[64] J.D. Power's 2025 surveys further positioned AT&T as a top choice for business reliability, citing its broader rural coverage as a factor in lower perceived downtime.[116]| Metric Category | Key 1H 2025 RootMetrics Awards for AT&T | Competitor Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Performance | National RootScore leader | Outperformed Verizon and T-Mobile |
| Reliability | Most Reliable Network | Superior call/text/video success |
| Speed | Fastest Wireless Network | Higher median downloads |
| Availability (Opensignal, June 2025) | 99.6% connection time | Slightly ahead of Verizon (99.5%) |