UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One) | ||||||||||||||
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) | |||||||||||||
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||||||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| OR | ||||||||||||||
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) | |||||||||||||
| OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||||||||
For the transition period from ______ to
Commission File Number: 001-8610
AT&T INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 43-1301883 | |||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
208 S. Akard St. | ||||||||
Dallas, Texas | 75202 | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive office) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 210-821-4105
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Name of each exchange | ||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | on which registered | ||||||
| Common Shares (Par Value $1.00 Per Share) | T | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 5.000% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A | T PRA | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 4.750% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C | T PRC | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.400% Global Notes due March 15, 2024 | T 24A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. Floating Rate Global Notes due March 6, 2025 | T 25A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.550% Global Notes due November 18, 2025 | T 25B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.500% Global Notes due December 17, 2025 | T 25 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 0.250% Global Notes due March 4, 2026 | T 26E | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 1.800% Global Notes due September 5, 2026 | T 26D | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.900% Global Notes due December 4, 2026 | T 26A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 1.600% Global Notes due May 19, 2028 | T 28C | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.350% Global Notes due September 5, 2029 | T 29D | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.375% Global Notes due September 14, 2029 | T 29B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.600% Global Notes due December 17, 2029 | T 29A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 0.800% Global Notes due March 4, 2030 | T 30B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.950% Global Notes due April 30, 2031 | T 31F | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.050% Global Notes due May 19, 2032 | T 32A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.550% Global Notes due December 17, 2032 | T 32 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 5.200% Global Notes due November 18, 2033 | T 33 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act (continued): | Name of each exchange | |||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | on which registered | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.375% Global Notes due March 15, 2034 | T 34 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.300% Global Notes due November 18, 2034 | T 34C | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.450% Global Notes due March 15, 2035 | T 35 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.150% Global Notes due September 4, 2036 | T 36A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 2.600% Global Notes due May 19, 2038 | T 38C | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 1.800% Global Notes due September 14, 2039 | T 39B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 7.000% Global Notes due April 30, 2040 | T 40 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.250% Global Notes due June 1, 2043 | T 43 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.875% Global Notes due June 1, 2044 | T 44 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.000% Global Notes due June 1, 2049 | T 49A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 4.250% Global Notes due March 1, 2050 | T 50 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 3.750% Global Notes due September 1, 2050 | T50A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 5.350% Global Notes due November 1, 2066 | TBB | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. 5.625% Global Notes due August 1, 2067 | TBC | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer | ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | |||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
Based on the closing price of $15.95 per share on June 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates was $114 billion.
At February 7, 2024, common shares outstanding were 7,152,792,253.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
(1)Portions of AT&T Inc.’s Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated on or about April 4, 2024 to be filed within the period permitted under General Instruction G(3) (Part III).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Item | Page | |||||||
| 1. | ||||||||
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
AT&T Inc. (“AT&T,” “we” or the “Company”) is a holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1983 and has its principal executive offices at 208 S. Akard St., Dallas, Texas, 75202 (telephone number 210-821-4105). We maintain an internet website at www.att.com. (This website address is for information only and is not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website information into this document.) We file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q and Form 10-K; proxy materials; registration statements on Forms S-3 and S-8, as necessary; and other forms or reports as required. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We make available, free of charge, on our website our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We also make available on that website, and in print, if any stockholder or other person so requests, our “Code of Ethics” applicable to all employees and Directors, our “Corporate Governance Guidelines,” and the charters for all committees of our Board of Directors, including Audit, Human Resources and Governance and Policy committees. Any changes to our Code of Ethics or waiver of our Code of Ethics for senior financial officers, executive officers or Directors will be posted on that website.
A reference to a “Note” refers to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
History
AT&T, formerly known as SBC Communications Inc. (SBC), was formed as one of several regional holding companies created to hold AT&T Corp.’s (ATTC) local telephone companies. On January 1, 1984, we were spun-off from ATTC pursuant to an anti-trust consent decree, becoming an independent publicly traded telecommunications services provider.
Following our formation, we expanded our communications footprint and operations, most significantly:
•Our subsidiaries merged with incumbent local exchange carriers (ILEC) Pacific Telesis Group in 1997 and Ameritech Corporation in 1999.
•In 2005, we merged one of our subsidiaries with ATTC, creating one of the world’s leading telecommunications providers. In connection with the merger, we changed the name of our company from “SBC Communications Inc.” to “AT&T Inc.”
•In 2006, we acquired ILEC BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth), which included BellSouth’s 40 percent economic interest in AT&T Mobility LLC (AT&T Mobility), formerly Cingular Wireless LLC, resulting in 100 percent ownership of AT&T Mobility.
•In 2014, we completed the acquisition of wireless provider Leap Wireless International, Inc.
•In 2015, we acquired wireless properties in Mexico and acquired DIRECTV, a leading provider of digital television entertainment services in both the United States (included in our Video business) and Latin America (referred to as Vrio).
•From 2018 through April 2022, we acquired and held various investments in entertainment businesses, namely Time Warner Inc., which comprised a substantial portion of our previous WarnerMedia segment.
•In July 2021, we closed our transaction with TPG Capital (TPG) to form a new company named DIRECTV Entertainment Holdings, LLC (DIRECTV). With the close of the transaction (DIRECTV Transaction), we separated our Video business, comprised of our U.S. video operations, and began accounting for our investment in DIRECTV under the equity method.
•In April 2022, we completed the separation of our WarnerMedia business in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction (WarnerMedia/Discovery Transaction). Upon its separation and distribution, the WarnerMedia business met the criteria for discontinued operations, as did other dispositions that were part of a single plan, including Vrio, Xandr and Playdemic Ltd. (Playdemic). These businesses are reflected in our historical financial statements as discontinued operations, including for periods prior to the consummation of the WarnerMedia separation.
1
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
General
We are a leading provider of telecommunications and technology services globally. The services and products that we offer vary by market and utilize various technology platforms in a range of geographies. Our reportable segments are organized as follows:
The Communications segment provides wireless and wireline telecom and broadband services to consumers located in the U.S. and businesses globally. Our business strategies reflect integrated product offerings that cut across product lines and utilize shared assets. This segment contains the following business units:
•Mobility provides nationwide wireless service and equipment.
•Business Wireline provides advanced ethernet-based fiber services, IP Voice and managed professional services, as well as traditional voice and data services and related equipment to business customers.
•Consumer Wireline provides broadband services, including fiber connections that provide multi-gig services to residential customers in select locations and our fixed wireless access product that provides home internet services delivered over our 5G wireless network where available. Consumer Wireline also provides legacy telephony voice communication services.
The Latin America segment provides wireless services and equipment in Mexico.
Corporate support costs, including administrative support costs borne by AT&T where business units do not influence decision making, divested businesses and results from business no longer integral to our operations are reported as Corporate and Other, which reconciles our segment results to consolidated operating income and income before income taxes.
Areas of Focus
We are a leader in providing connectivity services through our market focus areas of 5G and fiber. Fiber underpins the connectivity we deliver, both wired and wireless. Building on that fiber foundation is our solid spectrum portfolio, strengthened through Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction acquisitions and 5G deployment. We believe our fixed wireline and mobile approach will differentiate our services and provide us with additional convergence growth opportunities in the future as bandwidth demands continue to grow. We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to ensure management attention is sharply focused on growth areas and operational efficiencies.
Our integrated telecommunications network utilizes different technological platforms to provide instant connectivity at the higher speeds made possible by our fiber network expansion and wireless network enhancements. Streaming, augmented reality, “smart” technologies and user generated content are expected to continue to drive greater demand for broadband and capitalize on our fiber and 5G deployments. During 2024, we plan to continue to develop and provide high-value, integrated mobile and broadband solutions.
In December 2023, we announced plans to collaborate with Ericsson to lead the U.S. in commercial scale open radio access network (Open RAN) deployment to build a more robust ecosystem of network infrastructure providers and suppliers, fostering lower network costs, improved operational efficiencies and allowing for continued investment in our fast-growing broadband network. We plan for about 70% of our wireless network traffic to flow across open-capable platforms by late 2026, and to have fully-integrated Open RAN sites operating starting in 2024. Beginning in 2025, we expect to scale this Open RAN environment throughout our wireless network in coordination with multiple suppliers.
We believe the move to an open, agile, programmable wireless network positions us to quickly capitalize on the next generation of wireless technology and spectrum when it becomes available. These innovative technologies are expected to enable lower-power, sustainable networks with higher performance to deliver enhanced user experiences.
Wireless Service We continue to experience rapid growth in data usage as consumers are demanding seamless access across their wireless and wired devices, and businesses and municipalities are connecting more and more equipment and facilities to the internet. The deployment of 5G, which allows for faster connectivity, lower latency and greater bandwidth, requires modifications of existing cell sites to add equipment supporting new frequencies, like the C-Band and the 3.45 GHz band. The increased speeds and network operating efficiency expected with 5G technology should enable massive deployment of devices connected to the internet as well as faster delivery of data services. As the wireless industry has matured, with nearly full penetration of smartphones in the U.S. population, future wireless growth will depend on our ability to offer innovative services, plans and devices that bundle product offerings and take advantage of our 5G wireless network.
To support higher mobile data usage, our priority is to best utilize a wireless network that has sufficient spectrum and capacity to support these innovations on as broad a geographic basis as possible. We expect to continue to invest significant capital in expanding our network capacity, as well as obtaining additional spectrum that meets our long-term needs. We participate in FCC spectrum auctions and have been redeploying spectrum previously used for more basic services to support more advanced mobile internet services.
2
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
In North America, our network covers over 438 million people with 4G LTE and over 302 million with 5G technology. In the United States, our network covers all major metropolitan areas and more than 334 million people with our LTE technology and more than 302 million people with our 5G technology.
Broadband Technology In 2020, we identified fiber as a core priority for our business and enhanced our focus to expand our fiber footprint and grow customers. At December 31, 2023, we had more than 8.3 million fiber consumer wireline broadband customers, adding 1.1 million during the year. The expansion builds on our recent investments to convert to a software-based network, managing the migration of wireline customers to services using our fiber infrastructure to provide broadband technology. Software-based technologies align with our global leadership in software defined network (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV). This network approach delivers a demonstrable cost advantage in the deployment of next-generation technology over the traditional, hardware-intensive network approach. Our virtualized network supports next-generation applications like 5G and broadband-based services quickly and efficiently.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Our segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services over various technology platforms and/or in different geographies that are managed accordingly. We have two reportable segments: Communications and Latin America.
Additional information about our segments, including financial information, is included under the heading “Segment Results” in Item 7. and in Note 4 of Item 8.
COMMUNICATIONS
Our Communications segment provides wireless and wireline telecom and broadband services to consumers located in the U.S. and businesses globally. Our Communications services and products are marketed under the AT&T, AT&T Business, Cricket, AT&T PREPAIDSM and AT&T Fiber brand names. The Communications segment provided approximately 97% of 2023 segment operating revenues and accounted for all of our 2023 total segment income. This segment contains the Mobility, Business Wireline and Consumer Wireline business units.
Mobility – Our Mobility business unit provides nationwide wireless services to consumers and wholesale and resale wireless subscribers located in the United States by utilizing our network to provide voice and data services, including high-speed internet over wireless devices. We classify our subscribers as either postpaid, prepaid, connected device or reseller. As of December 31, 2023, we served 242 million Mobility subscribers, including 87 million postpaid (71 million phone), 19 million prepaid, 7 million reseller and 128 million connected devices. Our Mobility business unit revenue includes the following categories: service and equipment.
Services
We offer a comprehensive range of high-quality nationwide wireless voice and data communications services in a variety of pricing plans to meet the communications needs of targeted customer categories. Through FirstNet® services, we also provide a nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety.
Consumers continue to require increasing availability of data-centric services and a network to connect and control those devices. An increasing number of our subscribers are using more advanced devices, including embedded computing systems and/or software, commonly called the Internet of Things (IoT). We offer unlimited plans that include features allowing for the sharing of voice, text and data across multiple devices, which attracts subscribers from other providers and helps minimize subscriber churn. Customers in our “connected device” category (e.g., users of monitoring devices and automobile systems) generally purchase those devices from third-party suppliers that buy data access supported by our network. We continue to upgrade our network and coordinate with equipment manufacturers and application developers to further capitalize on the continued growing demand for wireless data services.
We also offer nationwide wireless voice and data communications to certain customers who prefer to pay in advance. These services are offered under the Cricket and AT&T PREPAID brands and are typically monthly prepaid services.
Equipment
We sell a wide variety of handsets, wireless data cards and wireless computing devices manufactured by various suppliers for use with our voice and data services. We also sell accessories, such as carrying cases/protective covers and wireless chargers. We sell through our own company-owned stores, agents and third-party retail stores. We provide our customers the ability to purchase handsets on an installment basis and the opportunity to bring their own device. Subscribers that bring their own devices or retain handsets for longer periods impact upgrade activity. Like other wireless service providers, we also provide postpaid contract subscribers promotional equipment offers to initiate, renew or upgrade service.
3
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Business Wireline – Our Business Wireline business unit provides services to business customers, including multinational corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, governmental and wholesale customers. Our Business Wireline business unit revenue includes the following categories: service and equipment.
Services
We offer advanced IP-based services, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPN), AT&T Dedicated Internet, and Ethernet as well as traditional data services, cloud solutions, outsourcing and managed professional services. We provide collaboration services that utilize our IP infrastructure and allow our customers to utilize the most advanced technology to improve their productivity.
We continue to reconfigure our wireline network to take advantage of the latest technologies and services, and rely on our SDN and NFV to enhance business customers’ digital agility in a rapidly evolving environment. Some of the services we have offered historically are in secular decline and, going forward, we will focus on our owned and operated connectivity services powered by 5G and fiber.
Equipment
Equipment revenues include customer premises equipment.
Consumer Wireline – Our Consumer Wireline business unit provides broadband services, including fiber connections, and legacy telephony voice communication services to customers in the United States by utilizing our IP-based and copper wired network. Additionally, this business unit offers AT&T Internet Air, which is a fixed wireless access product that provides home internet services delivered over our 5G wireless network where available. Our Consumer Wireline business unit revenue includes the following categories: broadband, legacy voice and data services and other service and equipment.
Broadband Services
We provide broadband and internet services to approximately 15 million customer locations, with 8 million fiber broadband connections at December 31, 2023. With changes in video viewing preferences and the impacts of remote work and learning trends, we are experiencing increasing demand for high-speed broadband services. We believe our investment in expanding our industry-leading fiber network positions us to be a leader in wired connectivity. With our focus on fiber that brings efficiencies and owner economics, we continue to evaluate opportunities where we can turn down existing copper infrastructure.
We believe that our flexible platform with a broadband and wireless connection is the most efficient way to transport direct-to-consumer video and data experiences both at home and on mobile devices. Through this integrated approach, we can optimize the use of storage in the home as well as in the cloud, while also providing a seamless service for consumers across screens and locations.
Legacy Voice and Data Services
Revenues from our traditional voice services continue to decline as customers switch to wireless or VoIP services provided by us, cable companies or other internet-based providers.
Other Services and Equipment
Other service revenues include VoIP services, customer fees and equipment.
Additional information on our Communications segment is contained in the “Overview” section of Item 7.
LATIN AMERICA
Our Latin America segment provides wireless services in Mexico. We utilize our regional and national wireless networks in Mexico to provide consumer and business customers with wireless data and voice communication services. We divide our revenue into the following categories: service and equipment.
Services
We provide postpaid and prepaid wireless services in Mexico to approximately 22 million subscribers under the AT&T and Unefon brands. Postpaid services allow for (1) no annual service contract for subscribers who bring their own device or purchase a device on installment and (2) service contracts for periods up to 36 months for subscribers who purchase their equipment under the traditional device subsidy model. We also offer prepaid services to customers who prefer to pay in advance.
Equipment
We sell a wide variety of handsets, including smartphones manufactured by various suppliers for use with our voice and data services. We sell through our own company-owned stores, agents and third-party retail stores.
Additional information on our Latin America segment is contained in the “Overview” section of Item 7.
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
MAJOR CLASSES OF SERVICE
The following table sets forth the percentage of total consolidated reported operating revenues by any class of service that accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated total operating revenues in any of the last three fiscal years:
| Percentage of Total Consolidated Operating Revenues | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Communications Segment | |||||||||||
Wireless service | 52 | % | 50 | % | 43 | % | |||||
Business service | 17 | 18 | 17 | ||||||||
| Equipment | 17 | 18 | 16 | ||||||||
| Latin America Segment | |||||||||||
| Wireless service | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| Corporate and Other | |||||||||||
Video services1 | — | — | 12 | ||||||||
1U.S. video operations were separated in July 2021. (See Note 6) | |||||||||||
Additional information on our geographical distribution of revenues is contained in Note 4 of Item 8.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Facilities-based wireless communications providers in the United States, like AT&T, must be licensed by the FCC to provide communications services at specified spectrum frequencies within defined geographic areas and must comply with FCC rules and policies governing the use of the spectrum. The FCC’s rules have a direct impact on whether the wireless industry has sufficient spectrum available to support the high-quality, innovative services our customers demand. Wireless licenses are issued for a fixed time period, typically 10 to 15 years, and we must seek renewal of these licenses. While the FCC has generally renewed licenses, the FCC has authority to both revoke a license for cause and to deny a license renewal if a renewal is not in the public interest. Additionally, while wireless communications providers’ prices and service offerings are generally not subject to regulation, the federal government and various states periodically consider new regulations and legislation relating to various aspects of wireless services.
The Communications Act of 1934 and other related laws give the FCC broad authority to regulate the U.S. operations of our interstate telecommunications services. In addition, our ILEC subsidiaries are subject to regulation by state governments, which have the power to regulate intrastate rates and services, including local, long-distance and network access services, provided such state regulation is consistent with federal law. Some states have eliminated or reduced regulations on our retail offerings. These subsidiaries are also subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC with respect to intercarrier compensation, interconnection, and interstate and international rates and services, including interstate access charges. Access charges are a form of intercarrier compensation designed to reimburse our wireline subsidiaries for the use of their networks by other carriers.
We continue to support regulatory and legislative measures and efforts at both the federal and state levels to minimize and/or moderate regulatory burdens that are no longer appropriate in a competitive communications market and that inhibit our ability to compete more effectively and offer services wanted and needed by our customers, including initiatives to transition services from traditional networks to all IP-based networks. At the same time, we also seek to ensure that legacy regulations are not further extended to broadband or wireless services, which are subject to vigorous competition.
Our subsidiaries operating outside the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of national and supranational regulatory authorities in the market where service is provided.
For a discussion of significant regulatory issues directly affecting our operations, please see the information contained under the headings “Operating Environment Overview” and “Regulatory Landscape” of Item 7, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
IMPORTANCE, DURATION AND EFFECT OF LICENSES
Certain of our subsidiaries own or have licenses to various patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property necessary to conduct business. Many of our subsidiaries also hold government-issued licenses or franchises to provide wireline or wireless services. Additional information relating to regulations affecting those rights is contained under the heading
5
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“Operating Environment Overview,” of Item 7. We actively pursue patents, trademarks, and service marks to protect our intellectual property within the United States and abroad. We maintain a significant global portfolio of patents, trademarks, and service mark registrations. We have also entered into licenses that permit other companies to utilize certain of our patents, trademarks, service marks, and technologies, in exchange for payments and subject to appropriate safeguards and restrictions. As we transition our network from a switch-based network to an IP, software-based network, we have increasingly entered into licensing agreements with software developers.
We periodically license third-party patents and other intellectual rights in exchange for payments. We also receive claims from third parties asserting that our products, services, or technologies infringe on their patents or other intellectual property rights. These claims could require us to pay damages or acquire license rights, stop offering the relevant products or services, and/or cease network functions or other activities. While the outcome of any litigation is uncertain, we do not believe that the resolution of any of these infringement claims or the expiration or non-renewal of any of our intellectual property rights would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
MAJOR CUSTOMERS
No customer accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenues in 2023, 2022 or 2021.
COMPETITION
Competition continues to increase for communications and digital services from traditional and nontraditional competitors. Technological advances have expanded the types and uses of services and products available. In addition, lack of or a reduced level of regulation of comparable legacy services has lowered costs for alternative communications service providers. As a result, we face continuing competition as well as some new opportunities in significant portions of our business.
Wireless We face substantial competition in our wireless businesses. Under current FCC rules, multiple licensees, who provide wireless services on the cellular, PCS, Advanced Wireless Services, 700 MHz and other spectrum bands, may operate in each of our U.S. service areas. Our competitors include two national wireless providers; a larger number of regional providers and resellers of each of those providers’ services; and certain cable companies. In addition, we face competition from providers who offer voice, text messaging and other services as applications on data networks. We are one of three facilities-based providers in Mexico (retail and wholesale), with the most significant market share controlled by América Móvil. We may experience significant competition from companies that provide similar services using other communications technologies and services. While some of these technologies and services are now operational, others are being developed or may be developed. We compete for customers based principally on service/device offerings, price, network quality, coverage area and customer service.
Broadband The desire for high-speed data on demand, including video, is continuing to lead customers to terminate their traditional wired or linear services and use our fiber services or competitors’ wireless, satellite and internet-based services. In most U.S. markets, we compete for customers with large cable companies and wireless broadband providers for high-speed internet and voice services.
Legacy Voice and Data We continue to lose legacy voice and data subscribers due to competitors (e.g., wireless, cable and VoIP providers) who can provide comparable services at lower prices because they are not subject to traditional telephone industry regulation (or the extent of regulation they are subject to is in dispute), utilize different technologies or promote a different business model (such as advertising-based). In most U.S. markets, we compete for customers with large cable companies and other smaller telecommunications companies for both long-distance and local services.
Additionally, we provide local and interstate telephone and switched services to other service providers, primarily large internet service providers using the largest class of nationwide internet networks (internet backbone), wireless carriers, other telephone companies, cable companies and systems integrators. These services are subject to additional competitive pressures from the development of new technologies, the introduction of innovative offerings and increasing satellite, wireless, fiber-optic and cable transmission capacity for services.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
AT&T scientists and engineers conduct research in a variety of areas, including IP networking, advanced network design and architecture, network and cybersecurity, network operations support systems and data analytics. The majority of the development activities are performed to create new services and to invent tools and systems to manage secure and reliable networks for us and our customers. Research and development expenses were $954 in 2023, $1,236 in 2022, and $1,325 in 2021.
HUMAN CAPITAL
Number of Employees As of January 31, 2024, we employed approximately 149,900 persons.
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Employee Development We believe our success depends on our employees’ success and that all employees must have the skills they need to thrive. We offer training and elective courses that give employees the opportunity to enhance their skills. We also intend to help cultivate the next generation of talent that will lead our company into the future by providing employees with educational opportunities through our internal training organization.
Labor Contracts Approximately 42% of our employees are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or other unions. After expiration of the collective bargaining agreements, work stoppages or labor disruptions may occur in the absence of new contracts or other agreements being reached. The main contracts set to expire in 2024 include the following: a contract covering approximately 5,000 Mobility employees in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas is set to expire in February; a wireline contract covering approximately 8,500 employees in California and Nevada is set to expire in April; and three wireline contracts covering approximately 15,000 employees in the southeastern United States are set to expire in August.
Compensation and Benefits In addition to salaries, we provide a variety of benefit programs to help meet the needs of our employees. These programs cover active and former employees and may vary by subsidiary and region. These programs include 401(k) plans, pension benefits, and health and welfare benefits, among many others. In addition to our active employee base, at December 31, 2023, we had approximately 505,000 retirees and dependents who were eligible to receive retiree benefits.
We review our benefit plans to maintain competitive packages that reflect the needs of our workforce. We also adapt our compensation model to provide fair and inclusive pay practices across our business. We are committed to pay equity for employees who hold the same jobs, work in the same geographic area, and have the same levels of experience and performance.
Employee Wellness We provide our employees access to flexible and convenient health and welfare programs and workplace accommodations. We have prioritized self-care and emphasized a focus on wellness, providing flexible scheduling or time-off options and implementing technologies to enhance the remote work environment.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion We believe that championing diversity and fostering inclusion does more than just make us a better company, it contributes to a world where people are empowered to be their very best. That is why we are committed to equality and one of the reasons why our company purpose is to connect people to greater possibilities. This focus on diversity emanates from our diverse and inclusive workforce, which is a product of our unwavering commitment to ensure that employees from any and every segment of society are treated with fairness and provided equal opportunities to advance in the company.
To have a diverse and inclusive workforce, we have put an emphasis on attracting and hiring talented people who represent a mix of backgrounds, identities and experiences. Across the AT&T family of companies, we have employee groups that reflect our diverse workforce. These groups are not only organized around women, people of color, faith, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and veterans, but also around professionals who are experienced or interested in cybersecurity, engineering, innovation and project management. We believe that when everyone’s unique story is celebrated, we are able to connect, create and innovate in real and meaningful ways. It is important that our employees feel valued, have a sense of belonging and are fully engaged in our success.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this document, including the matters contained under the caption “Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully read the matters described below. We believe that each of these matters could materially affect our business. Most, if not all, of these factors are beyond our ability to control.
Macro-Economic Factors:
Adverse changes in the U.S. securities markets, increasing interest rates, rising inflation and medical costs could materially increase our benefit plan costs and future funding requirements.
Our costs to provide current benefits and funding for future benefits are subject to increases, primarily due to continuing increases in medical and prescription drug costs, in part due to inflation, and can be affected by lower returns on assets held by our pension and other benefit plans, which are reflected in our financial statements for that year. In calculating the recognized benefit costs, we have made certain assumptions regarding future investment returns, interest rates and medical costs. These assumptions could change significantly over time and could be materially different than originally projected. Lower than assumed investment returns, an increase in our benefit obligations, and higher than assumed medical and prescription drug costs will increase expenses.
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The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) requires companies to recognize the funded status of defined benefit pension and postretirement plans as an asset or liability in their statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur. We have elected to reflect the annual adjustments to the funded status in our consolidated statement of income. Therefore, an increase in our costs or adverse market conditions will have a negative effect on our operating results.
Significant adverse changes in capital markets could result in the deterioration of our defined benefit plans’ funded status.
Inflationary pressures on costs, such as inputs for devices we sell and network components, labor and distribution costs may impact our network construction, our financial condition or results of operations.
As a provider of telecommunications and technology services, we sell handsets, wireless data cards, wireless computing devices and customer premises equipment manufactured by various suppliers for use with our voice and data services and depend on suppliers to provide us, directly or through other suppliers, with items such as network equipment, customer premises equipment, and wireless-related equipment such as mobile hotspots, handsets, wirelessly enabled computers, wireless data cards and other connected devices for our customers. Beginning in 2021 and continuing through the early part of 2024, the costs of these inputs and the costs of labor necessary to develop, deploy and maintain our networks and our products and services increased. In addition, many of these inputs are subject to price fluctuations from a number of factors, including, but not limited to, market conditions, demand for raw materials used in the production of these devices and network components, weather, climate change, energy costs, currency fluctuations, supplier capacities, governmental actions, import and export requirements (including tariffs), and other factors beyond our control. Inflationary and supply pressures may continue into the future and could have an adverse impact on our ability to source materials.
Our attempts to offset these cost pressures, such as through increases in the selling prices of some of our products and services, may not be successful. Higher product prices may result in reductions in sales volume. Consumers may be less willing to pay a price differential for our products and may increasingly purchase lower-priced offerings, or may forego some purchases altogether, during a period of inflationary pressure or an economic downturn. To the extent that price increases are not sufficient to offset these increased costs adequately or in a timely manner, and/or if they result in significant decreases in sales volume, our business, financial condition or operating results may be adversely affected. Furthermore, we may not be able to offset any cost increases through productivity and cost-saving initiatives.
Adverse changes in global financial markets could limit our ability and our larger customers’ and suppliers’ ability to access capital or increase the cost of capital needed to fund business operations.
During 2023, uncertainty surrounding global growth rates, inflation, and an increasing interest rate environment continued to produce volatility in the credit, currency and equity markets. Volatility may affect companies’ access to the credit markets, leading to higher borrowing costs, or, in some cases, the inability to fund ongoing operations. In addition, we contract with large financial institutions to support our own treasury operations, including contracts to hedge our exposure to interest rates and foreign exchange and the funding of credit lines and other short-term debt obligations, including commercial paper. These financial institutions face stricter capital-related and other regulations in the United States and Europe, as well as ongoing legal and financial issues concerning their loan portfolios, which may hamper their ability to provide credit or raise the cost of providing such credit.
A company’s cost of borrowing is affected by evaluations given by various credit rating agencies and these agencies have been applying tighter credit standards when evaluating debt levels and future growth prospects. While we have been successful in continuing to access the credit and fixed income markets when needed, adverse changes in the financial markets could render us either unable to access these markets or able to access these markets only at higher interest costs and with restrictive financial or other conditions, severely affecting our business operations. Additionally, downgrades of our credit rating by the major credit rating agencies could increase our cost of borrowing and also impact the collateral we would be required to post under certain agreements we have entered into with our derivative counterparties, which could negatively impact our liquidity. Further, valuation changes in our derivative portfolio due to interest rates and foreign exchange rates could require us to post collateral and thus may negatively impact our liquidity.
Our international operations increase our exposure to political instability, to changes in the international economy and to regulation on our business and these risks could offset our expected growth opportunities.
We have international operations, particularly in Mexico, and other countries worldwide where we need to comply with a wide variety of complex local laws, regulations and treaties. In addition, we are exposed to, among other factors, fluctuations in currency values, changes in relationships between U.S. and foreign governments, war or other hostilities, and other regulations that may materially affect our earnings. Involvement with foreign firms also exposes us to the risk of being unable to control the
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actions of those firms and therefore exposes us to risks associated with our obligation to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Violations of the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Industry-Wide Factors:
Changes to federal, state and foreign government regulations and decisions in regulatory proceedings, as well as private litigation, could further increase our operating costs and/or alter customer perceptions of our operations, which could materially adversely affect us.
Our subsidiaries providing wired services are subject to significant federal and state regulation while many of our competitors are not. In addition, our subsidiaries and affiliates operating outside the United States are also subject to the jurisdiction of national and supranational regulatory authorities in the market where service is provided. Our wireless subsidiaries are regulated to varying degrees by the FCC and in some instances, by state and local agencies. Adverse regulations and rulings by the FCC relating to broadband and wireless deployment, including the proposed rules regarding net neutrality, could impede our ability to manage our networks and recover costs and lessen incentives to invest in our networks. The continuing growth of IP-based services, especially when accessed by wireless devices, has created or potentially could create conflicting regulation between the FCC and various state and local authorities, which may involve lengthy litigation to resolve and may result in outcomes unfavorable to us. In addition, in response to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) questioning whether cell sites transmitting C-band spectrum could impact radio altimeter equipment on airplanes, we voluntarily committed to temporary, precautionary measures near certain airports through January 1, 2028, which may have limited impacts to deployments and services. In addition, increased public focus on a variety of issues related to our operations, such as privacy issues, government requests or orders for customer data, and concerns about global climate changes, have led to proposals or new legislation at state, federal and foreign government levels to change or increase regulation on our operations. Enactment of new privacy laws and regulations could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to collect data and offer targeted advertisements or result in additional costs of compliance or litigation. Should customers decide that our competitors offer a more customer-friendly environment, our competitive position, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Effects of climate change may impose risk of damage to our infrastructure, our ability to provide services, and may cause changes in federal, state and foreign government regulation, all of which may result in potential adverse impact to our financial results.
Extreme weather events precipitated by long-term climate change have the potential to directly damage network facilities or disrupt our ability to build and maintain portions of our network and could potentially disrupt suppliers’ ability to provide products and services required to provide reliable network coverage. Any such disruption could delay network deployment plans, interrupt service for our customers, increase our costs and have a negative effect on our operating results. The potential physical effects of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, fires, freezing conditions, sea-level rise and other climate-related events, could adversely affect our operations, infrastructure and financial results. Operational impacts resulting from the potential physical effects of climate change, such as damage to our network infrastructure, could result in increased costs and loss of revenue. We could incur significant costs to improve the climate resiliency of our infrastructure and otherwise prepare for, respond to, and mitigate such physical effects of climate change. While we currently do not believe the potential losses or costs associated with the physical effects of climate change will be material, it is difficult to accurately and precisely calculate the future impacts of the physical effects of climate change given the dynamic nature of climate change’s impacts on the environment.
Further, customers, consumers, investors, governments and other stakeholders are increasingly focusing on environmental issues, including climate change, water use, deforestation, plastic waste and other sustainability concerns. Concern over climate change or other environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters may result in new or increased legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate impacts to the environment and reduce the impact of our business on climate change. Further, climate change regulations may require us to alter our proposed business plans or increase our operating costs due to increased regulation or environmental considerations, and could adversely affect our business and reputation.
Continuing growth in and the converging nature of wireless and broadband services will require us to deploy significant amounts of capital and require ongoing access to spectrum in order to provide attractive services to customers.
Wireless and broadband services are undergoing rapid and significant technological changes and a dramatic increase in usage, including, in particular, the demand for faster and seamless usage of data, including video, across mobile and fixed devices. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these changes and also resulted in higher network utilization, as more customers consume bandwidth from changes in work and learn from home trends. We must continually invest in our networks in order to improve our wireless and broadband services to meet this increasing demand and changes in customer expectations while remaining competitive. Improvements in these services depend on many factors, including continued access to and deployment of adequate spectrum and the capital needed to expand our wireline network to support transport of these services. In order to stem
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broadband subscriber losses to cable competitors in our non-fiber wireline areas, we have been expanding our all-fiber wireline network. We must maintain and expand our network capacity and coverage for transport of data, including video, and voice between cell and fixed landline sites. To this end, we participate in spectrum auctions and continue to deploy software and other technology advancements in order to efficiently invest in our network.
We have spent, and plan to continue spending, significant capital and other resources on the ongoing development and deployment of our 5G and fiber wireline networks. This deployment and other network service enhancements and product launches may not occur as scheduled or at the cost expected due to many factors, including unexpected inflation, delays in determining equipment and wireless handset operating standards, supplier delays, software issues, increases in network and handset component costs, regulatory permitting delays for tower sites or enhancements, or labor-related delays. Deployment of new technology also may adversely affect the performance of the network for existing services. If we cannot acquire needed spectrum, our 5G and fiber offerings fail to gain acceptance in the marketplace or we otherwise fail to deploy the services customers desire on a timely basis with acceptable quality and at reasonable costs, then our ability to attract and retain customers, and, therefore, maintain and improve our operating margins, could be materially adversely affected.
Increasing competition for wireless customers could materially adversely affect our operating results.
We have multiple wireless competitors in each of our service areas and compete for customers based principally on service/device offerings, price, network quality, coverage area and customer service. In addition, we are facing growing competition from providers offering services using advanced wireless technologies and IP-based networks. We expect market saturation to continue which may cause the wireless industry’s customer growth rate to moderate in comparison with historical growth rates, leading to increased competition for customers. Our share of industry sales could be reduced due to aggressive pricing or promotional strategies pursued by competitors. We also expect that our customers’ growing demand for high-speed video and data services will place constraints on our network capacity. These competition and capacity constraints will continue to put pressure on pricing and margins as companies compete for potential customers. Additionally, we may not be able to accurately predict future consumer demands or the success of new services in markets. Our ability to address these issues will depend, among other things, on continued improvement in network quality and customer service and our ability to price our products and services competitively as well as effective marketing of attractive products and services. These efforts will involve significant expenses and require strategic management decisions on, and timely implementation of, equipment choices, network deployment and service offerings.
Intellectual property rights may be inadequate to take advantage of business opportunities, which may materially adversely affect our operations.
We may need to spend significant amounts of money to protect our intellectual property rights. Any impairment of our intellectual property rights, including due to changes in U.S. or foreign intellectual property laws or the absence of effective legal protections or enforcement measures, could materially adversely impact our operations.
Incidents or public assertions leading to damage to our reputation or questions about our business conduct, and any resulting lawsuits, claims or other legal proceedings, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We believe that our brand image, awareness and reputation strengthen our relationship with consumers and contribute significantly to the success of our business. Our ability to attract and retain employees is highly dependent upon our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace, ethical business practices and other qualities. Acts of misconduct by any employee, and particularly by senior management, could erode trust and confidence and damage our reputation. Negative public opinion and increased regulatory scrutiny or litigation could result from actual or alleged conduct by us or those currently or formerly associated with us, and from any number of activities or circumstances, including operations, employment-related offenses (such as sexual harassment and discrimination), regulatory compliance and actions taken by regulators or others in response to such conduct.
We currently are, and may in the future be, named as a defendant in lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business based on alleged acts of misconduct by employees. These actions seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury (including claims for loss of life), workers’ compensation, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, workplace misconduct, wage and hour claims and other employment-related damages, compensation for breach of contract, statutory or regulatory claims, negligence or gross negligence, punitive damages, consequential damages, and civil penalties or other losses or injunctive or declaratory relief. The outcome of any allegations, lawsuits, claims or legal proceedings is inherently uncertain and could result in significant costs, damage to our brands or reputation and diversion of management’s attention from our business. In 2023, The Wall Street Journal published a series of articles alleging that lead-clad telecommunications cables are a public-health hazard or may pose environmental risks. We are currently subject to litigation and have received inquiries from government authorities as a result of these assertions. We may be subject to additional litigation, government investigations and potentially new regulation or legislation relating to lead-clad cables. Any damage to our reputation or payments of significant amounts as a result of any of these issues, even if reserved, could materially and adversely affect our business, ability to serve customers, reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Our business is subject to risks related to public health crises.
Public health crises and resulting mitigation measures have in the past, and may in the future, cause a negative effect on our operating results. These effects include, but are not limited to, closure of retail stores; impact on our customers’ ability to pay for our products and services; reduction in international roaming revenue; and reduced staffing levels in call centers and field operations. We also have in the past, and may in the future, incur significantly higher expenses attributable to infrastructure investments and increased labor costs.
Company-Specific Financial Factors:
Customer adoption of new software-based technologies may require higher quality services from us, and meeting these demands could create supply chain issues and could increase capital costs.
The communications industry has experienced rapid changes in the past several years. An increasing number of our customers are using mobile devices as their primary means of viewing video. In addition, businesses and government bodies are broadly shifting to wireless-based services for homes and infrastructure to improve services to their respective customers and constituencies. We have spent, and continue to spend, significant capital to shift our wired network to software-based technology and are expanding 5G wireless technology to address these demands. We are entering into a significant number of software licensing agreements and working with software developers to provide network functions in lieu of installing switches or other physical network equipment in order to respond to rapid developments in wireless demand. While software-based functionality can be changed much more quickly than, for example, physical switches, the rapid pace of development means that we may increasingly need to rely on single-source and software solutions that have not previously been deployed in production environments. Should this software not function as intended or our license agreements provide inadequate protection from intellectual property infringement claims, we could be forced to either substitute (if available) or else spend time to develop alternative technologies at a much higher cost and incur harm to our reputation for reliability, and, as a result, our ability to remain competitive could be materially adversely affected.
We depend on various suppliers to provide equipment to operate our business and satisfy customer demand and interruption or delay in supply can adversely impact our operating results.
We depend on suppliers to provide us, directly or through other suppliers, with items such as network equipment, customer premises equipment and wireless-related equipment such as mobile hotspots, handsets, wirelessly enabled computers, wireless data cards and other connected devices for our customers. In some instances, we depend on key single-source suppliers to provide important inputs where there are few alternative suppliers available. These suppliers could fail to provide equipment on a timely or cost effective basis, or fail to meet our performance expectations, for a number of reasons, including difficulties in obtaining export licenses for certain technologies, inflationary pressures, inability to secure component parts, general business disruption, natural disasters, safety issues, economic and political instability, including the outbreak of war and other hostilities, and public health emergencies. These factors have caused, and may again cause, delays in the development, manufacturing (including the sourcing of key components) and shipment of products to the extent that we or our suppliers are impacted. In certain limited circumstances, suppliers have been unable to supply products in a timely fashion, affecting our ability to provide products and services precisely as and when requested by our customers. It is possible that, in some circumstances, we could be forced to switch to a different key supplier or be unable to meet customer demand for certain products or services. Because of the cost and time lag that can be associated with transitioning from one supplier to another, our business could be substantially disrupted if we were required to, or chose to, replace the products of one or more key suppliers with products from another source, especially if the replacement became necessary on short notice. Any such disruption could increase our costs, decrease our operating efficiencies and have a negative effect on our operating results.
Increasing costs to provide services and failure to renew agreements on favorable terms, or at all, could adversely affect operating margins.
Our operating costs, including customer acquisition and retention costs, could continue to put pressure on margins and customer retention levels.
A number of our competitors offering comparable legacy services that rely on alternative technologies and business models are typically subject to less regulation, and therefore are able to operate with lower costs. These competitors generally can focus on discrete customer segments since they do not have regulatory obligations to provide universal service. Also, these competitors have cost advantages compared to us, due in part to operating on newer, more technically advanced and lower-cost networks with a nonunionized workforce, lower employee benefits and fewer retirees. We are transitioning services from our copper-based network and seeking regulatory approvals, where needed, at both the state and federal levels. If we do not obtain regulatory approvals for our network transition or obtain approvals with onerous conditions, we could experience significant cost and competitive disadvantages.
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We may not realize or sustain the expected benefits from our business transformation initiatives and these efforts could have a materially adverse effect on our business, operations, financial condition, results of operations and competitive position.
We have been and will be undertaking certain transformation initiatives, including the WarnerMedia/Discovery Transaction, which are designed to reduce costs, enable legacy rationalization, streamline and modernize distribution and customer service, remove redundancies and simplify and improve processes and support functions. Our focus is on supporting added customer value with an improved customer experience. We intend for these efficiencies to enable increased investments in our strategic areas of focus, which consist of improving broadband connectivity (for example, fiber and 5G). We also expect these initiatives to drive efficiencies and improved margins. If we do not successfully manage and execute these initiatives, or if they are inadequate or ineffective, we may fail to meet our financial goals and achieve anticipated benefits, improvements may be delayed, not sustained or not realized, and our business, operations and competitive position could be adversely affected. Further, we intend to use artificial intelligence (AI)-driven efficiencies in our network design, software development and customer support services. The models used in those products, particularly generative AI models, may produce output or take action that is incorrect, release private or confidential information, reflect biases included in the data on which they are trained, infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, or be otherwise harmful. Any of these risks could expose us to liability or adverse legal or regulatory consequences and harm our reputation and the public perception of our business or the effectiveness of our security measures.
Unfavorable litigation or governmental investigation results could require us to pay significant amounts or lead to onerous operating procedures.
We are subject to a number of lawsuits both in the United States and in foreign countries, including, at any particular time, claims relating to antitrust, patent infringement, wage and hour, personal injury, environmental, customer privacy violations, cyberattacks, regulatory proceedings, breach of contract, and selling and collection practices. We also spend substantial resources complying with various government standards, which may entail related investigations and litigation. In the wireless and wireline area, we also face current and potential litigation relating to alleged adverse health effects on customers or employees who use such technologies including, for example, wireless devices. We may incur significant expenses defending such suits or government charges and may be required to pay amounts or otherwise change our operations in ways that could materially adversely affect our operations or financial results.
Cyberattacks impacting our networks or systems may have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Cyberattacks – including through the use of malware, computer viruses, distributed denial of services attacks, ransomware attacks, credential harvesting, social engineering and other means for obtaining unauthorized access to or disrupting the operation of our networks and systems and those of our suppliers, vendors and other service providers – could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Cyberattacks can cause equipment or network failures, loss of information, including sensitive personal information of customers or employees or proprietary information, as well as disruptions to our or our customers’, suppliers’ or vendors’ operations, which could result in significant expenses, potential investigations and legal liability, a loss of current or future customers and reputational damage. As our networks evolve, they are becoming increasingly reliant on software to handle growing demands for data consumption. Cyberattacks against companies, including the Company and its suppliers and vendors, have occurred and will continue to occur and have increased in frequency, scope and potential harm in recent years. Further, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning by cybercriminals may increase the frequency and severity of cybersecurity attacks against us or our suppliers, vendors and other service providers. Additionally, as cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, a post-attack investigation may not be able to ascertain the entire scope of the attack’s impact. Extensive and costly efforts are undertaken to develop and test systems before deployment and to conduct ongoing monitoring and updating to prevent and withstand such attacks. While, to date, we have not been subject to cyberattacks that, individually or in the aggregate, have been material to our operations or financial condition, the preventive actions we take to reduce the risks associated with cyberattacks may be insufficient to repel or mitigate the effects of a major cyberattack in the future.
Natural disasters, extreme weather conditions or terrorist or other hostile acts could cause damage to our infrastructure and result in significant disruptions to our operations.
Our business operations could be subject to interruption by equipment failures, power outages, terrorist or other hostile acts, including acts of war, and natural disasters, such as flooding, hurricanes and forest fires, whether caused by discrete severe weather events and/or precipitated by long-term climate change. Such events could cause significant damage to the infrastructure upon which our business operations rely, resulting in degradation or disruption of service to our customers, as well as significant recovery time and expenditures to resume operations. Our system redundancy and other measures we take to protect our infrastructure and operations from the impacts of such events may be ineffective or inadequate to sustain our operations through all such events. Any of these occurrences could result in lost revenues from business interruption, damage to our reputation and reduced profits.
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Increases in our debt levels to fund spectrum purchases, or other strategic decisions could adversely affect our ability to finance future debt at attractive rates and reduce our ability to respond to competition and adverse economic trends.
We have incurred debt to fund significant acquisitions, as well as spectrum purchases needed to compete in our industry. While we believe such decisions were prudent and necessary to take advantage of both growth opportunities and respond to industry developments, we did experience credit-rating downgrades from historical levels. Banks and potential purchasers of our publicly traded debt may decide that these strategic decisions and similar actions we may take in the future, as well as expected trends in the industry, will continue to increase the risk of investing in our debt and may demand a higher rate of interest, impose restrictive covenants or otherwise limit the amount of potential borrowing. Additionally, our capital allocation plan is focused on, among other things, managing our debt level going forward. Any failure to successfully execute this plan could adversely affect our cost of funds, liquidity, competitive position and access to capital markets.
Our business may be impacted by changes in tax laws and regulations, judicial interpretations of the same or administrative actions by federal, state, local and foreign taxing authorities.
Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. In many cases, the application of existing, newly enacted or amended tax laws (such as the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) may be uncertain and subject to differing interpretations, especially when evaluated against ever-changing products and services provided by our global telecommunications and technology businesses. In addition, tax legislation has been introduced or is being considered in various jurisdictions that could significantly impact our tax rate, tax liabilities, and carrying value of deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. Any of these changes could materially impact our financial performance and our tax provision, net income and cash flows.
We are also subject to ongoing examinations by taxing authorities in various jurisdictions. Although we regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of provisions for taxes, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations. In the event that we have not accurately or fully described, disclosed or determined, calculated or remitted amounts that were due to taxing authorities or if the ultimate determination of our taxes owed is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, we could be subject to additional taxes, penalties and interest, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and operating results.
If the distribution of WarnerMedia, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes under audit, then we could be subject to significant tax liability.
In connection with the WarnerMedia/Discovery Transaction, AT&T received a favorable Private Letter Ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Nonetheless, the IRS or another applicable tax authority could determine on audit that the distribution by us of WarnerMedia to our stockholders and certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions if it determines that any of the facts, representations or undertakings made in connection with the request for the ruling were incorrect or are violated. We may be entitled to indemnification from Warner Bros. Discovery (Warner Bros.) in the case of certain breaches of representations or undertakings by Warner Bros. under the tax matters agreement related to the WarnerMedia/Discovery Transaction. However, we could potentially be required to pay such tax prior to reimbursement from Warner Bros., and such indemnification is subject to Warner Bros.’ credit risk. If the IRS or another tax authority were to so conclude, there could be a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information set forth in this report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially. Many of these factors are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The following factors could cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
•Adverse economic and political changes, including inflation and rising interest rates, war or other hostilities, and public health emergencies, and our ability to access financial markets at favorable rates and terms.
•Increases in our benefit plans’ costs, including due to worse-than-assumed investment returns and discount rates, mortality assumptions, medical cost trends, or healthcare laws or regulations.
•The final outcome of FCC and other federal, state or foreign government agency proceedings (including judicial review of such proceedings) and legislative and regulatory efforts involving issues important to our business, including, without limitation, pending Notices of Apparent Liability; the transition from legacy technologies to IP-based infrastructure, including the withdrawal of legacy TDM-based services; universal service; broadband deployment; wireless equipment siting regulations and, in particular, siting for 5G service; E911 services; rules concerning digital discrimination; competition policy; privacy; net neutrality; copyright protection; availability of new spectrum on fair and balanced terms; and wireless and satellite license awards and renewals, and our response to such legislative and regulatory efforts.
•Enactment of or changes to state, local, federal and/or foreign tax laws and regulations, and actions by tax agencies and judicial authorities that reduce our incentive to invest in our networks, and the resolution of disputes with any taxing jurisdictions, pertaining to our subsidiaries and foreign investments.
•U.S. and foreign laws and regulations regarding intellectual property rights protection and privacy, personal data protection and user consent, which are complex and rapidly evolving.
•Our ability to compete in an increasingly competitive industry and against competitors that can offer product/service offerings at lower prices due to lower cost structures and regulatory and legislative actions adverse to us, including non-regulation of comparable alternative technologies and/or government-owned or subsidized networks, and our response to such competition and emerging technologies.
•Disruption in our supply chain for a number of reasons, including, difficulties in obtaining export licenses for certain technology, inability to secure component parts, lack of suppliers, general business disruption, workforce shortage, natural disasters, safety issues, vendor fraud, economic and political instability, including disruptions in the capital markets, the outbreak of war or other hostilities, and public health emergencies.
•The development and delivery of attractive and profitable wireless and broadband offerings and devices, including our ability to match speeds offered by competitors; the impact of regulatory and build-out requirements; and the availability, cost and/or reliability of technologies required to provide such offerings.
•Our ability to adequately fund additional wireless spectrum and network development, deployment and maintenance; and regulations and conditions relating to spectrum use, licensing, obtaining additional spectrum, technical standards and deployment and usage, including network management rules.
•Our ability to manage growth in wireless data services, including network quality and acquisition of adequate spectrum at reasonable costs and terms.
•The outcome of pending, threatened or potential litigation and arbitration, including, without limitation, patent and product safety claims by or against third parties or claims based on alleged misconduct by employees.
•The impact from major equipment or software failures on our networks or cyber incidents; the effect of security breaches related to the network or customer information; our inability to obtain handsets, equipment/software or have handsets, equipment/software serviced in a timely and cost-effective manner from suppliers; or severe weather conditions or other climate related events including flooding and hurricanes, natural disasters including earthquakes and forest fires, public health emergencies, energy shortages, wars or terrorist attacks.
•The issuance by the FASB or other accounting oversight bodies of new or revised accounting standards.
•The uncertainty surrounding further congressional action regarding spending and taxation, which may result in changes in government spending and affect the ability and willingness of businesses and consumers to spend in general.
•Our ability to realize or sustain the expected benefits of our business transformation initiatives, which are designed to reduce costs, enable legacy rationalization, streamline distribution, remove redundancies and simplify and improve processes and support functions.
•Our ability to successfully complete divestitures, as well as achieve our expectations regarding the financial impact of the completed and/or pending transactions.
Readers are cautioned that other factors discussed in this report, although not enumerated here, also could materially affect our future earnings.
14
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Governance
Board and Audit Committee Oversight
Our Board of Directors has delegated to the Audit Committee the oversight responsibility to review and discuss with management the Company’s privacy and data security, including cybersecurity, risk exposures, policies and practices, and the steps management has taken to detect, monitor and control such risks and the potential impact of those exposures on our business, financial results, operations and reputation. The full Board and Audit Committee regularly receives reports and presentations on privacy and data security, which address relevant cybersecurity issues and risks and span a wide range of topics. These reports and presentations are provided by officers with responsibility for privacy and data security, who include our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and AT&T’s Legal team. In addition to regular reports to the Audit Committee, we have protocols by which certain security incidents are escalated within the Company and, where appropriate, reported in a timely manner to the Audit Committee.
Chief Security Office/CISO
We maintain a Chief Security Office (CSO), which is charged with management-level responsibility for all aspects of network and information security within the Company. Led by our CISO and comprised of a large team of highly trained security professionals across multiple countries, the CSO is responsible for:
a.establishing the policies, standards and requirements for the security of AT&T’s computing and network environments;
b.protecting AT&T-owned and -managed assets and resources against unauthorized access by monitoring potential security threats, correlating network events, and overseeing the execution of corrective actions;
c.promoting compliance with AT&T’s security policies and network and information security program in a consistent manner on network systems and applications; and
d.providing security thought leadership in the global security arena.
Our CISO plays the key management role in assessing and managing our material risks from cybersecurity threats. The CISO also works closely with AT&T Legal to oversee compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual security requirements. The CISO has extensive technical leadership experience and cybersecurity expertise, gained from approximately 20 years of experience, including serving as the Chief Information Security Officer and Director of the Office of Cybersecurity at a U.S. government agency, in addition to serving as the Chief Information Security Officer of two large public companies. Prior to that, he served for 20 years in the U.S. military, in various information technology roles of increasing seniority. The security professionals in the CSO have cybersecurity backgrounds and expertise relevant to their roles, including, in certain circumstances, relevant industry certifications.
Risk Management and Strategy
We maintain a network and information security program that is reasonably designed to protect our information, and that of our customers, from unauthorized risks to their confidentiality, integrity, or availability. Our program encompasses the CSO and its policies, platforms, procedures, and processes for assessing, identifying, and managing risks from cybersecurity threats, including third-party risk from vendors and suppliers; and the program is generally designed to identify and respond to security incidents and threats in a timely manner to minimize the loss or compromise of information assets and to facilitate incident resolution.
We maintain continuous and near-real-time security monitoring of the AT&T network for investigation, action and response to network security events. This security monitoring leverages tools, where available, such as near-real-time data correlation, situational awareness reporting, active incident investigation, case management, trend analysis and predictive security alerting. We assess, identify, and manage risks from cybersecurity threats through various mechanisms, which from time to time may include tabletop exercises to test our preparedness and incident response process, business unit assessments, control gap analyses, threat modeling, impact analyses, internal audits, external audits, penetration tests and engaging third parties to conduct analyses of our information security program. We conduct vulnerability testing and assess identified vulnerabilities for severity, the potential impact to AT&T and our customers, and likelihood of occurrence. We regularly evaluate security controls to maintain their functionality in accordance with security policy. We also obtain cybersecurity threat intelligence from recognized forums, third parties, and other sources as part of our risk assessment process. In addition, as a critical infrastructure entity, we collaborate with numerous agencies in the U.S. government to help protect U.S. communications networks and critical infrastructure, which, in turn, informs our cybersecurity threat intelligence.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
With respect to incident response, the Company has adopted a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan, as well as a Data Privacy Incident Response Plan that applies if customer information has been compromised (together, the “IRPs”), to provide a common framework for responding to security incidents. This framework establishes procedures for identifying, validating, categorizing, documenting and responding to security events that are identified by or reported to the CSO. The IRPs apply to all AT&T personnel (including contractors and partners) that perform functions or services that require securing AT&T information and computing assets, and to all devices and network services that are owned or managed by the Company.
The IRPs set out a coordinated, multi-functional approach for investigating, containing, and mitigating incidents, including reporting findings to senior management and other key stakeholders and keeping them informed and involved as appropriate. In general, our incident response process follows the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) framework and focuses on four phases: preparation; detection and analysis; containment, eradication and recovery; and post-incident remediation.
Impact of Cybersecurity Risk
In 2023, we did not identify and were not aware of any cybersecurity breaches that we believe have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For a discussion of cybersecurity risk, please see the information contained under the heading “Cyberattacks impacting our networks or systems may have a material adverse effect on our operations” of Item 1A.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our properties do not lend themselves to description by character and location of principal units. At December 31, 2023, of our total property, plant and equipment, central office equipment represented 29%; outside plant (including cable, wiring and other non-central office network equipment) represented 27%; other equipment, comprised principally of wireless network equipment attached to towers, furniture and office equipment and vehicles and other work equipment, represented 25%; land, building and wireless communications towers represented 12%; and other miscellaneous property represented 7%.
For our Communications segment, substantially all of the installations of central office equipment are located in buildings and on land we own. Many garages, administrative and business offices, wireless towers, telephone centers and retail stores are leased. Property on which communication towers are located may be either owned or leased.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are a party to numerous lawsuits, regulatory proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this report, we do not believe any pending legal proceedings to which we or our subsidiaries are subject are required to be disclosed as material legal proceedings pursuant to this item.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As of February 1, 2024
| Name | Age | Position | Held Since | ||||||||
| John T. Stankey | 61 | Chief Executive Officer and President | 7/2020 | ||||||||
| F. Thaddeus Arroyo | 60 | Chief Strategy and Development Officer | 5/2022 | ||||||||
| Pascal Desroches | 59 | Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 4/2021 | ||||||||
Edward W. Gillespie | 62 | Senior Executive Vice President - External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T Services, Inc. | 4/2020 | ||||||||
| Kellyn S. Kenny | 46 | Chief Marketing and Growth Officer | 5/2022 | ||||||||
| Lori M. Lee | 58 | Global Marketing Officer and Senior Executive Vice President - Human Resources and International | 8/2023 | ||||||||
| Jeremy Legg | 54 | Chief Technology Officer, AT&T Services, Inc. | 5/2022 | ||||||||
| David R. McAtee II | 55 | Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel | 10/2015 | ||||||||
| Jeffery S. McElfresh | 53 | Chief Operating Officer | 5/2022 | ||||||||
The above executive officers have held high-level managerial positions with AT&T or its subsidiaries for more than the past five years, except for Mr. Desroches, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Kenny and Mr. Legg. Executive officers are not appointed to a fixed term of office.
Mr. Desroches was previously Executive Vice President - Finance of AT&T from November 2020 to March 2021, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of WarnerMedia from June 2018 to November 2020, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Turner from January 2015 to June 2018.
Mr. Gillespie was previously Managing Director of Sard Verbinnen & Co. from June 2018 to April 2020, Founder and Principal of Ed Gillespie Strategies from February 2009 to December 2016, and Counselor to the President for George W. Bush, Executive Office of the President at The White House, from July 2007 to January 2009.
Ms. Kenny was previously Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, AT&T Communications, LLC from November 2020 to May 2022. Prior to that she was Global Chief Marketing Officer of Hilton Worldwide Holdings from January 2018 to June 2020 and Vice President of Marketing for Uber Technologies from April 2016 to January 2018.
Mr. Legg was previously Chief Technology Officer - AT&T Technology Services of AT&T from June 2020 to April 2022, Chief Technology Officer of WarnerMedia from December 2018 to June 2020, and Chief Technology Officer of Turner from June 2015 to December 2018.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “T”. The number of stockholders of record as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 749,207 and 784,110. The number of stockholders of record as of February 7, 2024, was 746,395. We declared dividends on common stock, on a quarterly basis, totaling $1.11 per share in 2023 and $1.11 per share in 2022.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The comparison above assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2018, in AT&T common stock and the following Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Indices: S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Communication Services Index. Total return equals stock price appreciation plus reinvestment of dividends.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Our Board of Directors has approved the following authorization to repurchase common stock: March 2014 authorization program for 300 million shares, with 144 million outstanding at December 31, 2023. To implement this authorization, we have used open market repurchases, relying on Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, where feasible. We have also used accelerated share repurchase agreements with large financial institutions to repurchase our stock. We will continue to fund any share repurchases through a combination of cash from operations, borrowings dependent on market conditions, or cash from the disposition of certain non-strategic investments.
Our 2024 financing activities will focus on managing our debt level and paying dividends, subject to approval by our Board of Directors. We plan to fund our financing uses of cash through a combination of cash from operations, issuance of debt and asset sales. The timing and mix of any debt issuance and/or refinancing will be guided by credit market conditions and interest rate trends.
A summary of our repurchases of common stock during the fourth quarter of 2023 is as follows:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | |||||||||||
| Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased1,2 | Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1 | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs | ||||||||||
October 1, 2023 – | ||||||||||||||
October 31, 2023 | 185,638 | $ | 14.99 | — | 143,731,972 | |||||||||
November 1, 2023 – | ||||||||||||||
November 30, 2023 | 2,674 | $ | 15.81 | — | 143,731,972 | |||||||||
December 1, 2023 – | ||||||||||||||
December 31, 2023 | 76,151 | $ | 16.55 | — | 143,731,972 | |||||||||
| Total | 264,463 | $ | 15.45 | — | ||||||||||
1 In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved an authorization to repurchase up to 300 million shares of our common stock. The authorization has no expiration date. | ||||||||||||||
2 Of the shares purchased, 264,463 shares were acquired through the withholding of taxes on the vesting of restricted stock and performance shares or in respect of the exercise price of options. | ||||||||||||||
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
AT&T Inc. is referred to as “we,” “AT&T” or the “Company” throughout this document. AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc., and the names of the particular subsidiaries and affiliates providing the services generally have been omitted. AT&T is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates operate worldwide in the telecommunications and technology industries. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes (Notes). Unless otherwise noted, this discussion refers only to our continuing operations and does not include discussion of balances or activity of WarnerMedia, Vrio, Xandr and Playdemic Ltd. (Playdemic), which are part of discontinued operations.
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this document generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this document can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
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On April 8, 2022, we closed our transaction to combine substantially all of our previous WarnerMedia segment (WarnerMedia) with a subsidiary of Discovery, Inc (Discovery). Upon the separation and distribution of WarnerMedia, the WarnerMedia business met the criteria for discontinued operations. For discontinued operations, we also evaluated transactions that were components of AT&T’s single plan of a strategic shift, including dispositions that did not individually meet the criteria due to materiality, and determined discontinued operations to be comprised of WarnerMedia, Vrio, Xandr and Playdemic. These businesses are reflected in the accompanying financial statements as discontinued operations, including for periods prior to the consummation of the WarnerMedia/Discovery transaction. (See Notes 6 and 24)
On July 31, 2021, we closed our transaction with TPG Capital (TPG) to form a new company named DIRECTV Entertainment Holdings, LLC (DIRECTV). With the close of the transaction, we separated our Video business, comprised of our U.S. video operations, and began accounting for our investment in DIRECTV under the equity method. (See Note 6)
We have two reportable segments: Communications and Latin America. Our segment results presented in Note 4 and discussed below follow our internal management reporting. Each segment’s percentage calculation of total segment operating revenue is derived from our segment results table in Note 4. Segment operating income is attributable to our Communications segment due to operating losses in Latin America. Percentage increases and decreases that are not considered meaningful are denoted with a dash.
| Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Communications | $ | 118,038 | $ | 117,067 | $ | 114,730 | 0.8 | % | 2.0 | % | |||||||
| Latin America | 3,932 | 3,144 | 2,747 | 25.1 | 14.5 | ||||||||||||
| Corporate and Other: | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 458 | 530 | 731 | (13.6) | (27.5) | ||||||||||||
| Video | — | — | 15,513 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Held-for-sale and other reclassifications | — | — | 453 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Eliminations and consolidations | — | — | (136) | — | — | ||||||||||||
| AT&T Operating Revenues | $ | 122,428 | $ | 120,741 | $ | 134,038 | 1.4 | % | (9.9) | % | |||||||
| Operating Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Communications | $ | 27,801 | $ | 26,736 | $ | 26,293 | 4.0 | % | 1.7 | % | |||||||
| Latin America | (141) | (326) | (510) | 56.7 | 36.1 | ||||||||||||
| Segment Operating Income | 27,660 | 26,410 | 25,783 | 4.7 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||
| Corporate | (2,961) | (2,890) | (1,990) | (2.5) | (45.2) | ||||||||||||
| Video | — | — | 2,257 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Held-for-sale and other reclassifications | — | — | 143 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Certain significant items | (1,238) | (28,107) | (296) | 95.6 | — | ||||||||||||
| AT&T Operating Income (Loss) | $ | 23,461 | $ | (4,587) | $ | 25,897 | — | % | — | % | |||||||
The Communications segment accounted for approximately 97% of our 2023 and 2022 total segment operating revenues and accounted for all segment operating income in 2023 and 2022. This segment provides services to businesses and consumers located in the U.S. and businesses globally. Our business strategies reflect integrated product offerings that cut across product lines and utilize shared assets. This segment contains the following business units:
•Mobility provides nationwide wireless service and equipment.
•Business Wireline provides advanced ethernet-based fiber services, IP Voice and managed professional services, as well as traditional voice and data services and related equipment to business customers.
•Consumer Wireline provides broadband services, including fiber connections that provide multi-gig services to residential customers in select locations and our fixed wireless access product that provides home internet services delivered over our 5G wireless network where available. Consumer Wireline also provides legacy telephony voice communication services.
The Latin America segment accounted for approximately 3% of our 2023 and 2022 total segment operating revenues. This segment provides wireless services and equipment in Mexico.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Results Our financial results from continuing operations are summarized in the following table. We then discuss factors affecting our overall results from continuing operations. Additional analysis is discussed in our “Segment Results” section. We also discuss our expected revenue and expense trends for 2024 in the “Operating Environment and Trends of the Business” section.
| Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 99,649 | $ | 97,831 | $ | 111,565 | 1.9 | % | (12.3) | % | |||||||
| Equipment | 22,779 | 22,910 | 22,473 | (0.6) | 1.9 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | 122,428 | 120,741 | 134,038 | 1.4 | (9.9) | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 78,997 | 79,809 | 90,076 | (1.0) | (11.4) | ||||||||||||
| Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | 1,193 | 27,498 | 213 | (95.7) | — | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 18,777 | 18,021 | 17,852 | 4.2 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 98,967 | 125,328 | 108,141 | (21.0) | 15.9 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) | 23,461 | (4,587) | 25,897 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 6,704 | 6,108 | 6,716 | 9.8 | (9.1) | ||||||||||||
| Equity in net income of affiliates | 1,675 | 1,791 | 603 | (6.5) | — | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) – net | 1,416 | 5,810 | 9,387 | (75.6) | (38.1) | ||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | 19,848 | (3,094) | 29,171 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations | $ | 15,623 | $ | (6,874) | $ | 23,776 | — | % | — | % | |||||||
OVERVIEW
Operating revenues increased in 2023. The increase reflects growth in Mobility and Consumer Wireline revenues, partially offset by continued declines in Business Wireline revenues. Revenue increases also reflect higher revenues in our Mexico business unit, including favorable impacts from foreign exchange.
Operations and support expenses decreased in 2023, reflecting benefits of our continued transformation efforts, including lower personnel costs, partially offset by inflationary increases. The decrease also reflects lower Mobility equipment and associated selling costs, driven by lower device sales in 2023 and 3G network shutdown costs in the first quarter of 2022, higher returns on benefit-related assets and lower customer support costs. Partially offsetting the decreases were higher amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.
Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring decreased in 2023, with higher impairments in 2022. Noncash charges in 2023 primarily relate to severance and restructuring charges, as well as the abandonment of non-deployed wireless equipment associated with our recently announced plans to collaborate with Ericsson to deploy commercial scale open radio access network (Open RAN), which will further the telecommunications industry efforts and align with the federal government’s goal to build a more robust ecosystem of network infrastructure providers and suppliers. This network transformation is expected to result in additional cash charges in 2024.
Noncash charges in 2022 were primarily due to the impairment of $24,812 of goodwill associated with our Business Wireline, Consumer Wireline and Mexico reporting units, and were driven by higher interest rates consistent with the macroeconomic environment, with secular declines also impacting Business Wireline growth rates (see Note 9). The charges in 2022 also included $1,413 of wireline conduit asset abandonments and $1,273 of restructuring and other impairment charges due to updated network build plans stemming from spectrum acquired in recent auctions, severance charges associated with transformation initiatives and impairment of personal protective equipment inventory.
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Depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2023, primarily due to higher depreciation expense related to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades. We expect depreciation expense to increase due to continued fiber and 5G investment and approximately $850 in 2024 due to the expected shortening of estimated economic lives of wireless equipment that will be replaced earlier than originally anticipated with our deployment of Open RAN.
Operating income increased in 2023 and decreased in 2022. Our operating margin was 19.2% in 2023, compared to (3.8)% in 2022, which included noncash impairment charges, and 19.3% in 2021.
Interest expense increased in 2023, primarily due to lower capitalized interest associated with spectrum acquisitions and higher interest rates. Interest expense in 2023 also includes the reclassification of Mobility preferred interests distributions, which were repurchased on April 5, 2023 (see Note 16). Mobility preferred interest distributions were recorded as noncontrolling interest in 2022.
Late in the third quarter of 2023, C-band incumbents completed their transition out of the spectrum band, allowing us to use all C-band licenses awarded to us in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction in 2021, and we have ceased capitalization of interest for licenses that have been placed into service. We expect interest expense to increase approximately $400 in 2024 as a result.
Equity in net income of affiliates decreased in 2023. The decrease was 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 2023 (see Notes 6, 10 and 19).
Other income (expense) – net decreased in 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by actuarial remeasurement of pension plan assets and obligations, with net actuarial and settlement losses of $1,594 in 2023, compared to gains of $1,999 in 2022 (see Note 14). Also contributing to the decrease was a $450 impairment of an equity investment in a Latin America satellite business and lower net pension and postretirement benefit credits in 2023 (see Note 14). Partially offsetting the decrease were higher returns on other benefit-related investments.
Income tax expense increased in 2023, primarily driven by higher income before income tax in 2023, partially offset by deferred tax benefits related to updated estimates.
Our effective tax rate was 21.3% in 2023, (122.2)% in 2022, and 18.5% in 2021. The effective tax rate in 2022 was lower primarily due to our goodwill impairments associated with our Business Wireline, Consumer Wireline and Mexico reporting units, which are not deductible for tax purposes.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
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Segment Results Our segments are comprised of strategic business units or other operations that offer products and services to different customer segments over various technology platforms and/or in different geographies that are managed accordingly. We evaluate segment performance based on operating income as well as EBITDA and/or EBITDA margin, which is defined as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is used as part of our management reporting and we believe EBITDA to be a relevant and useful measurement to our investors as it measures the cash generation potential of our business units. EBITDA does not give effect to depreciation and amortization expenses incurred in operating income nor is it burdened by cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for distributions, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by total revenues.
Effective for the first quarter of 2023, we stopped recording prior service credits to our individual business units or the corresponding charge to Corporate and Other, and segment operating expenses were recast to remove prior service credits from our historical reporting. Prior service credits are, and will continue to be, recorded as other income in our consolidated income statement in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (see Note 14). This recast increased Communications segment operations and support expenses by approximately $2,400 in 2022 and $2,100 in 2021. Correspondingly, this recast lowered administrative expenses within Corporate and Other, with no change on a consolidated basis.
COMMUNICATIONS SEGMENT | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Segment Operating Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Mobility | $ | 83,982 | $ | 81,780 | $ | 78,254 | 2.7 | % | 4.5 | % | |||||||
| Business Wireline | 20,883 | 22,538 | 23,937 | (7.3) | (5.8) | ||||||||||||
| Consumer Wireline | 13,173 | 12,749 | 12,539 | 3.3 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
| Total Segment Operating Revenues | $ | 118,038 | $ | 117,067 | $ | 114,730 | 0.8 | % | 2.0 | % | |||||||
| Segment Operating Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Mobility | $ | 25,861 | $ | 23,812 | $ | 22,679 | 8.6 | % | 5.0 | % | |||||||
| Business Wireline | 1,289 | 2,290 | 3,092 | (43.7) | (25.9) | ||||||||||||
| Consumer Wireline | 651 | 634 | 522 | 2.7 | 21.5 | ||||||||||||
| Total Segment Operating Income | $ | 27,801 | $ | 26,736 | $ | 26,293 | 4.0 | % | 1.7 | % | |||||||
| Selected Subscribers and Connections | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
(in 000s) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Mobility subscribers | 241,532 | 217,397 | 201,791 | ||||||||||||||
| Total domestic broadband connections | 15,288 | 15,386 | 15,504 | ||||||||||||||
| Network access lines in service | 4,185 | 5,213 | 6,177 | ||||||||||||||
VoIP connections | 2,558 | 2,930 | 3,333 | ||||||||||||||
Operating revenues increased in 2023, driven by increases in our Mobility and Consumer Wireline business units, partially offset by a decrease in our Business Wireline business unit. The increases are primarily driven by gains in wireless service and broadband service. Business Wireline continues to reflect lower demand for legacy services and product simplification.
Operating income increased in 2023 and 2022. The 2023 operating income reflects an increase in operating income from our Mobility and Consumer Wireline business units, partially offset by declines in our Business Wireline business unit. Our Communications segment operating income margin was 23.6% in 2023, 22.8% in 2022 and 22.9% in 2021.
23
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Communications Business Unit Discussion
Mobility Results | |||||||||||||||||
Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 63,175 | $ | 60,499 | $ | 57,590 | 4.4 | % | 5.1 | % | |||||||
| Equipment | 20,807 | 21,281 | 20,664 | (2.2) | 3.0 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | 83,982 | 81,780 | 78,254 | 2.7 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 49,604 | 49,770 | 47,453 | (0.3) | 4.9 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8,517 | 8,198 | 8,122 | 3.9 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 58,121 | 57,968 | 55,575 | 0.3 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 25,861 | $ | 23,812 | $ | 22,679 | 8.6 | % | 5.0 | % | |||||||
The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Mobility:
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| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Service revenue increased during 2023, largely due to growth from subscriber gains and higher postpaid average revenue per subscriber (ARPU).
ARPU
ARPU increased in 2023 and reflects pricing actions, improved international roaming and customers shifting to higher-priced unlimited plans, partially offset by the impact of higher promotional discount amortization (see Note 5).
Churn
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 consistent with 2022.
Equipment revenue decreased in 2023, primarily driven by a lower volume of devices sold.
Operations and support expenses decreased in 2023, largely due to lower equipment costs, driven by lower device sales and associated selling costs, and 3G network shutdown costs in the first quarter of 2022. These decreases were offset by increased network expenses and higher amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs.
Depreciation expense increased in 2023, primarily due to ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion. We expect increased depreciation expense in 2024 due to the expected shortening of estimated economic lives of wireless equipment that will be replaced earlier than originally anticipated with our Open RAN deployment and our network transformation and continued 5G investment.
Operating income increased in 2023 and 2022. Our Mobility operating income margin was 30.8% in 2023, 29.1% in 2022 and 29.0% in 2021. Our Mobility EBITDA margin was 40.9% in 2023, 39.1% in 2022 and 39.4% in 2021.
Business Wireline Results | |||||||||||||||||
Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 20,274 | $ | 21,891 | $ | 23,224 | (7.4) | % | (5.7) | % | |||||||
| Equipment | 609 | 647 | 713 | (5.9) | (9.3) | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | 20,883 | 22,538 | 23,937 | (7.3) | (5.8) | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 14,217 | 14,934 | 15,653 | (4.8) | (4.6) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5,377 | 5,314 | 5,192 | 1.2 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 19,594 | 20,248 | 20,845 | (3.2) | (2.9) | ||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 1,289 | $ | 2,290 | $ | 3,092 | (43.7) | % | (25.9) | % | |||||||
Service revenues decreased in 2023, 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.
Equipment revenues decreased in 2023, driven by declines in legacy and non-core services, which we expect to continue.
Operations and support expenses decreased in 2023, primarily due to our continued efforts to drive efficiencies in our network operations through automation, reductions in customer support expenses through digitization and proactive rationalization of low profit margin products. Expense declines were also driven by lower personnel costs, lower network access, customer support and marketing costs. The decrease in network access costs also included approximately $75 of benefit related to settlement of a dispute in the second quarter of 2023. As part of our transformation activities, we expect operations and support expense improvements through 2024, as we further right size our operations in alignment with the strategic direction of the business.
Depreciation expense increased in 2023, primarily due to ongoing capital investment for strategic initiatives such as fiber, which we expect to further increase in 2024.
Operating income decreased in 2023 and 2022. Our Business Wireline operating income margin was 6.2% in 2023, 10.2% in 2022 and 12.9% in 2021. Our Business Wireline EBITDA margin was 31.9% in 2023, 33.7% in 2022 and 34.6% in 2021.
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Consumer Wireline Results | |||||||||||||||||
Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Broadband | $ | 10,455 | $ | 9,669 | $ | 9,085 | 8.1 | % | 6.4 | % | |||||||
| Legacy voice and data services | 1,508 | 1,746 | 1,977 | (13.6) | (11.7) | ||||||||||||
| Other service and equipment | 1,210 | 1,334 | 1,477 | (9.3) | (9.7) | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | 13,173 | 12,749 | 12,539 | 3.3 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 9,053 | 8,946 | 8,922 | 1.2 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,469 | 3,169 | 3,095 | 9.5 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 12,522 | 12,115 | 12,017 | 3.4 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 651 | $ | 634 | $ | 522 | 2.7 | % | 21.5 | % | |||||||
The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Consumer Wireline:
Connections | |||||||||||||||||
Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (in 000s) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Broadband Connections | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Broadband and DSL Connections | 13,890 | 13,991 | 14,160 | (0.7) | % | (1.2) | % | ||||||||||
Broadband1 | 13,729 | 13,753 | 13,845 | (0.2) | (0.7) | ||||||||||||
| Fiber Broadband Connections | 8,307 | 7,215 | 5,992 | 15.1 | 20.4 | ||||||||||||
| Voice Connections | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail Consumer Switched Access Lines | 1,651 | 2,028 | 2,423 | (18.6) | (16.3) | ||||||||||||
Consumer VoIP Connections | 1,953 | 2,311 | 2,736 | (15.5) | (15.5) | ||||||||||||
| Total Retail Consumer Voice Connections | 3,604 | 4,339 | 5,159 | (16.9) | % | (15.9) | % | ||||||||||
1Includes AT&T Internet Air. | |||||||||||||||||
Broadband Net Additions | |||||||||||||||||
Percent Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (in 000s) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Total Broadband and DSL Net Additions | (101) | (169) | 60 | 40.2 | % | — | % | ||||||||||
Broadband Net Additions1 | (24) | (92) | 152 | 73.9 | — | ||||||||||||
| Fiber Broadband Net Additions | 1,092 | 1,223 | 1,041 | (10.7) | % | 17.5 | % | ||||||||||
1Includes AT&T Internet Air. | |||||||||||||||||
Broadband revenues increased in 2023, 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.
Legacy voice and data service revenues decreased in 2023, reflecting the continued decline in the number of customers.
Other service and equipment revenues decreased in 2023, reflecting the continued decline in the number of VoIP customers.
Operations and support expenses increased in 2023, primarily due to higher network-related costs as our fiber build scales, partially offset by lower customer support costs, lower Max licensing fees in the first half of 2023, and approximately $35 of benefit from a vendor dispute resolution in the second quarter of 2023.
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Depreciation expense increased in 2023, primarily due to ongoing capital spending for strategic initiatives such as fiber and network upgrades and expansion, which we expect to further increase in 2024.
Operating income increased in 2023 and 2022. Our Consumer Wireline operating income margin was 4.9% in 2023, 5.0% in 2022 and 4.2% in 2021. Our Consumer Wireline EBITDA margin was 31.3% in 2023, 29.8% in 2022 and 28.8% in 2021.
LATIN AMERICA SEGMENT | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
Segment Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 2,569 | $ | 2,162 | $ | 1,834 | 18.8 | % | 17.9 | % | |||||||
| Equipment | 1,363 | 982 | 913 | 38.8 | 7.6 | ||||||||||||
Total Segment Operating Revenues | 3,932 | 3,144 | 2,747 | 25.1 | 14.5 | ||||||||||||
Segment Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Operations and support | 3,349 | 2,812 | 2,652 | 19.1 | 6.0 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 724 | 658 | 605 | 10.0 | 8.8 | ||||||||||||
Total Segment Operating Expenses | 4,073 | 3,470 | 3,257 | 17.4 | 6.5 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) | $ | (141) | $ | (326) | $ | (510) | 56.7 | % | 36.1 | % | |||||||
The following tables highlight other key measures of performance for Mexico:
Service revenues increased in 2023, reflecting favorable foreign exchange impacts, growth in subscribers and higher wholesale revenues.
Equipment revenues increased in 2023, driven by higher equipment sales and favorable foreign exchange impacts.
Operations and support expenses increased in 2023, driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and increased equipment costs resulting from higher sales. Approximately 5% of Mexico expenses are U.S. dollar-based, with the remainder in the local currency.
Depreciation expense increased in 2023, driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange partially offset by lower in-service assets.
Operating income improved in 2023 and 2022. Our Mexico operating income margin was (3.6)% in 2023, (10.4)% in 2022 and (18.6)% in 2021. Our Mexico EBITDA margin was 14.8% in 2023, 10.6% in 2022 and 3.5% in 2021.
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OPERATING ENVIRONMENT AND TRENDS OF THE BUSINESS
2024 Revenue Trends We expect revenue growth in our wireless and broadband businesses as customers demand instant connectivity and higher speeds made possible by wireless network enhancements through 5G deployment and our fiber network expansion. We believe that our simplified go-to-market strategy for 5G in underpenetrated markets will continue to contribute to wireless subscriber and service revenue growth and that expansion of our fiber footprint and our multi-gig offerings will drive greater demand for broadband services on our fast-growing fiber network.
As we expand our fiber reach, we will be orienting our business portfolio to leverage this opportunity to offset continuing declines in legacy Business Wireline products by growing connectivity with small to mid-sized businesses. We plan to use our strong fiber and wireless assets, broad distribution and integrated product offers to strengthen our overall market position. We will continue to rationalize our product portfolio with a longer-term shift of the business to fiber and mobile connectivity, and growth in value-added services.
2024 Expense Trends During 2024, we will continue to focus on efficiency, led by our cost transformation initiative. We expect the spending required to support growth and efficiency initiatives, primarily our continued deployment of fiber and 5G, including our deployment of Open RAN, and associated accelerated depreciation, to pressure expense trends in 2024. These investments will help prepare us to meet increased customer demand for enhanced wireless and broadband services, including video streaming, augmented reality and “smart” technologies. The software benefits of our 5G wireless technology should result in a more efficient use of capital and lower network-related expenses in the coming years. Furthermore, to the extent customers upgrade their handsets in 2024, the expenses associated with those device sales are expected to contribute to higher costs.
We continue to transform our operations to be more efficient and effective. We are restructuring businesses, sunsetting legacy networks, improving customer service and ordering functions through digital transformation, sizing our support costs and staffing with current activity levels, and reassessing overall benefit costs. We also expect cost savings through AI-driven efficiencies in our network design, software development and customer support services.
Market Conditions During 2023, uncertainty surrounding global growth rates, inflation, and an increasing interest rate environment continued to produce volatility in the credit, currency and equity markets. Additionally, several factors, including changes in workplace behavior that have continued since the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in changes in demand in business communication services. The global pandemic caused, and future public health emergencies could again cause, delays in the development, manufacturing (including the sourcing of key components) and shipment of products, as well as continued tight labor market and inflationary impacts. Most of our products and services are not directly affected by the imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods. However, we expect ongoing pressure on pricing during 2024 as we respond to the geopolitical and macroeconomic environment and our competitive marketplace, especially in wireless services.
Included on our consolidated balance sheets are assets held by benefit plans for the payment of future benefits. Our pension plans are subject to funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). We expect only minimal ERISA contribution requirements to our pension plans for 2024. Investment returns on these assets depend largely on trends in the economy, and a weakness in the equity, fixed income and real asset markets could require us to make future contributions to the pension plans. In addition, our policy of recognizing actuarial gains and losses related to our pension and other postretirement plans in the period in which they arise subjects us to earnings volatility caused by changes in market conditions; however, these actuarial gains and losses do not impact segment performance as they are required to be recorded in “Other income (expense) – net.” Changes in our discount rate, which are tied to changes in the bond market, and changes in the performance of equity markets, may have significant impacts on the valuation of our pension and other postretirement obligations at the end of 2024 (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”).
Expected Growth Areas Over the next few years, we expect our growth to come from wireless and IP-based fiber broadband services. We provide integrated services to diverse groups of customers in the U.S. on a converged telecommunications network utilizing different technological platforms. In 2024, our key initiatives include:
•Continuing our wireless subscriber momentum and 5G deployment, with expansion of 5G service, including to underpenetrated markets.
•Continuing our fiber deployment, improving fiber penetration, accelerating subscriber growth and increasing broadband revenues.
•Deploying Open RAN to build a more robust ecosystem of network infrastructure providers and suppliers, fostering lower network costs, improved operational efficiencies and allowing for continued investment in our fast-growing broadband network.
•Continuing to drive efficiencies and a competitive advantage through cost transformation initiatives and product simplification.
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Wireless We expect to continue to deliver revenue growth in the coming years. We are in a period of rapid growth in wireless video and data usage and believe that there are substantial opportunities available for next-generation integrated services that combine technologies and services. As of December 31, 2023, we served 264 million wireless subscribers in North America, with 242 million in the United States.
Our LTE technology covers over 438 million people in North America, and in the United States, we cover all major metropolitan areas and over 334 million people. When combined with our upgraded backhaul network, we provide enhanced network capabilities and superior mobile broadband speeds for data and video services. In December 2018, we introduced the nation’s first commercial mobile 5G service and expanded that deployment nationwide in July 2020. At December 31, 2023, our network covers more than 302 million people with 5G technology in the United States and North America.
Our networks covering both the U.S. and Mexico have enabled our customers to use wireless services without roaming on other companies’ networks. We believe this seamless access will prove attractive to customers and provide a significant growth opportunity. At December 31, 2023, we provided LTE coverage to over 104 million people in Mexico.
Integration of Wireless and Fiber Services The communications industry has evolved into internet-based technologies capable of converging the offering of wireline and wireless services. As the owner and operator of scaled wireless and fiber networks, we plan to focus on expanding our wireless network capabilities and providing broadband offerings that allow customers to integrate their home or business fixed services with their mobile service. In January 2022, we launched our multi-gig rollout, which brings the fastest internet to AT&T Fiber customers in select locations with symmetrical 2 gig and 5 gig tiers. We intend to continue to develop and provide unique integrated mobile and broadband/fiber solutions.
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
AT&T subsidiaries operating within the United States are subject to federal and state regulatory authorities. While these issues may apply only to certain subsidiaries, the words “we,” “AT&T” and “our” are used to simplify the discussion. The following discussions are intended as a condensed summary of the issues rather than as a comprehensive legal analysis and description of all of these specific issues.
International Regulation Our subsidiaries operating outside the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of regulatory authorities in the territories in which the subsidiaries operate. Our licensing, compliance and advocacy initiatives in foreign countries primarily enable the provision of enterprise (i.e., large business) services globally and wireless services in Mexico.
The General Data Protection Regulation went into effect in Europe in May of 2018. This regulation created a range of new compliance obligations and significantly increased financial penalties for noncompliance. AT&T processes and handles personal data of its customers and subscribers, employees of its enterprise customers and its employees.
Federal Regulation
In the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act), Congress established a national policy framework intended to bring the benefits of competition and investment in advanced telecommunications facilities and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition and reducing or eliminating regulatory burdens that harm consumer welfare. Nonetheless, over the ensuing two decades, the FCC and some state regulatory commissions have maintained or expanded certain regulatory requirements that were imposed decades ago on our traditional wireline subsidiaries when they operated as legal monopolies. More recently, the FCC has pursued a more deregulatory agenda, eliminating a variety of antiquated and unnecessary regulations and streamlining its processes in a number of areas. We continue to support regulatory and legislative measures and efforts, at both the state and federal levels, to reduce inappropriate regulatory burdens that inhibit our ability to compete effectively and offer needed services to our customers, including initiatives to transition services from traditional networks to all IP-based networks. At the same time, we also seek to ensure that legacy regulations are not further extended to broadband or wireless services, which are subject to vigorous competition. We have organized the following discussion by service impacted.
Internet The FCC currently classifies fixed and mobile consumer broadband services as information services, subject to light-touch regulation. In response to a challenge to the FCC’s classification, in 2019, the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s current classification, although it remanded three discrete issues related to the effect of the classification on public safety, the regulation of pole attachments, and universal service support for low-income consumers through the Lifeline program to the FCC for further consideration. Since no party sought Supreme Court review of the D.C. Circuit’s decision to uphold the FCC’s classification of broadband as an information service, that decision is final.
In October 2020, the FCC adopted an order addressing the three issues remanded by the D.C. Circuit for further consideration. After considering those issues, the FCC concluded there were no grounds to depart from its determination that fixed and mobile consumer broadband services should be classified as information services. An appeal of the FCC’s remand decision is pending.
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On September 28, 2023, the FCC released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that was adopted at the FCC’s open meeting on October 19, 2023. The NPRM proposes to again reclassify broadband internet access service as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 and reestablish conduct rules for internet service providers.
In the interim, some states have adopted legislation or issued executive orders that would reimpose net neutrality rules repealed by the FCC. Suits were filed concerning such laws in California and Vermont. The California statute is now in effect. The litigation challenging the Vermont statute has been stayed pending the Second Circuit’s disposition of an appeal by the State of New York of an order enjoining enforcement of a New York statute regulating broadband rates on the ground that such statute is preempted by federal law. We expect additional states may seek to impose net neutrality requirements in the future.
On November 15, 2023, the FCC adopted rules to “facilitate” equal access to broadband and prevent digital discrimination in broadband access. The rules, which will become effective March 22, 2024, prohibit covered entities from implementing policies or practices not justified by genuine issues of technical or economic feasibility, that differentially impact consumers’ access to broadband internet access service based on prohibited characteristics (including income level, race, and ethnicity) or that have such differential impact, whether intentional or not. The rules broadly apply prospectively to all aspects of an ISP’s service that could impact a consumer’s ability to access broadband, including deployment, marketing, and credit checks, among other things. We may be required to answer complaints alleging that the company has violated the FCC rules and those complaints may seek relief, including changes to our business practices or civil forfeitures that could result in significant costs or reputational harm. It is currently uncertain how the FCC will implement and enforce these new rules. Several business associations have filed appeals challenging the rules and several of those appeals have been consolidated in the Eighth Circuit.
Privacy-related legislation continues to be adopted or considered in a number of jurisdictions. Legislative, regulatory and litigation actions could result in increased costs of compliance, further regulation or claims against broadband internet access service providers and others, and increased uncertainty in the value and availability of data.
Infrastructure Investment 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. 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 and will consider participating in the deployment program where appropriate. The IIJA includes various provisions that have resulted in FCC proceedings regarding ACP program administration and consumer protection, reform of the existing universal support program, and broadband labeling and equal access. 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.
Wireless Industry-wide network densification and 5G technology expansion efforts, which are needed to satisfy extensive demand for video and internet access, will involve significant deployment of “small cell” equipment. This increases the importance of local permitting processes that allow for the placement of small cell equipment in the public right-of-way on reasonable timelines and terms. The FCC has adopted multiple Orders streamlining federal, state, and local wireless structure review processes that had the tendency to delay and impede deployment of small cell and related infrastructure used to provide telecommunications and broadband services. During 2020-2021, we deployed 5G nationwide on “low band” spectrum on macro towers. Executing on the recent spectrum purchase, we announced ongoing construction and continuing deployment of 5G on C-band spectrum in 2022 and beyond. Additional spectrum will be needed industrywide for 5G and future services. In 2023, the federal government released a national spectrum strategy that focused on spectrum sharing and did not include specific timelines to make additional spectrum bands available for 5G and future generations of service. As a result, the federal government’s ability and intent to make sufficient spectrum available to the industry in needed timeframes remains uncertain.
In June and November 2020, the FCC issued a Declaratory Ruling clarifying the limits on state and local authority to deny applications to modify existing structures to accommodate wireless facilities. Appeals of the November 2020 order remain pending in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. If sustained on appeal, these FCC decisions will remove state and local regulatory barriers and reduce the costs of the infrastructure needed for 5G and FirstNet deployments, which will enhance our ability to place small cell facilities on utility poles, expand existing facilities to accommodate public safety services, and replace legacy facilities and services with advanced broadband infrastructure and services. In 2022, we began deploying 5G nationwide on “low band” spectrum on macro towers.
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In March 2020, the FCC released its order setting rules for certain spectrum bands (C-band) for 5G operations. In that order, the FCC concluded that C-band 5G services that met the agency’s technical limits on power and emissions would not cause harmful interference with aircraft operations. In reliance on that order, AT&T bid a total of $23,406 and was awarded 1,621 C-band licenses, including 40 MHz available for deployment in December 2021, with the remainder available for deployment no later than December 2023. In late 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) questioned whether the C-band launch could impact radio altimeter equipment on airplanes, which operate on spectrum bands over 400 MHz away from the spectrum AT&T launched in 2022 and 220 MHz away from spectrum AT&T launched in 2023. In response, to allow the FAA more time to evaluate, AT&T and Verizon delayed their planned December 2021 5G C-band launch by six weeks and voluntarily committed to a series of temporary, precautionary measures, in addition to deferring turning on a limited number of towers around certain airports. In 2023, we and all other C-band licensees entered into a voluntarily commitment to extend precautionary measures near certain airports through January 1, 2028, which may have limited impacts to deployments and services.
In recent years, the FCC took several actions to make spectrum available for 5G services, including the auction of 280 MHz of mid-band spectrum previously used for satellite service (the “C Band” auction) and 39 GHz band spectrum. AT&T obtained spectrum in these auctions. The FCC also made 150 MHz of mid-band CBRS spectrum available, to be shared with Federal incumbents, which enjoy priority. In addition, in 2022, the FCC completed Auction 110, in which AT&T won 40 MHz of 3.45 GHz spectrum nationwide at a cost of $9,079. (See Note 6)
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND STANDARDS
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Because of the size of the financial statement line items they relate to or the extent of judgment required by our management, some of our accounting policies and estimates have a more significant impact on our consolidated financial statements than others.
Pension and Postretirement Benefits Our actuarial estimates of retiree benefit expense and the associated significant weighted-average assumptions are discussed in Note 14. Our assumed weighted-average discount rates for both pension and postretirement benefits of 5.00%, at December 31, 2023, reflect the hypothetical rate at which the projected benefit obligations could be effectively settled or paid out to participants. We determined our discount rate based on a range of factors, including a yield curve composed of the rates of return on several hundred high-quality, fixed income corporate bonds available at the measurement date and corresponding to the related expected durations of future cash outflows for the obligations. These bonds had an average rating of at least Aa3 or AA- by the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, denominated in U.S. dollars, and generally not callable, convertible or index linked. For the year ended December 31, 2023, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, we decreased our pension and postretirement discount rates each by 0.20%, resulting in an increase in our pension plan benefit obligation of $916 and an increase in our postretirement benefit obligation of $110.
Our expected long-term rate of return was 7.50% on pension plan assets and 6.50% on postretirement plan assets for 2023. For 2024, we have increased our expected return on pension plan assets to 7.75%, reflecting higher yields for bonds and changes in the asset mix, and decreased our expected return on postretirement plan assets to 4.00%, reflecting reallocation of assets to cash for benefit payment. Our expected return on plan assets is calculated using the actual fair value of plan assets. If all other factors were to remain unchanged, we expect that a 0.50% decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would cause 2024 combined pension and postretirement cost to increase $150, which under our accounting policy would be adjusted to actual returns in the current year upon remeasurement of our retiree benefit plans.
We recognize gains and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets and obligations immediately in “Other income (expense) – net” in our consolidated statements of income. These gains and losses are generally measured annually as of December 31, and accordingly, will normally be recorded during the fourth quarter, unless an earlier remeasurement is required. Should actual experience differ from actuarial assumptions, the projected pension benefit obligation and net pension cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and postretirement benefit cost would be affected in future years. See Note 14 for additional discussions regarding our assumptions.
Asset Valuations and Impairments Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but tested at least annually on October 1 for impairment. For impairment testing, we estimate fair values using models that predominantly rely on the expected cash flows to be derived from the reporting unit or use of the asset. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the book value may not be recoverable over the remaining life. Inputs underlying the expected cash flows include, but are not limited to, subscriber counts, revenue per user, capital investment and acquisition costs per subscriber, and ongoing operating costs. We based our assumptions on a combination of our historical results, trends, business plans and marketplace participant data.
Annual Goodwill Testing
Goodwill is tested on a reporting unit basis by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its book value. If the fair value exceeds the book value, then no impairment is measured. We estimate fair values using an income approach (also
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known as a discounted cash flow model) and market multiple approaches. The income approach utilizes our future cash flow projections with a perpetuity value discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. The market multiple approach uses the multiples of publicly traded companies whose services are comparable to those offered by the reporting units.
As of October 1, 2023, the calculated fair values of the reporting units exceeded their book values in all circumstances. However, the Consumer Wireline fair value exceeded its book value by less than 10%, with interest rates negatively impacting fair value offset by higher long-term cash flow projections driven by our fiber investment. For our Mobility and Business Wireline reporting units where fair values were in excess of 10%, if either the projected long-term growth rates declined by 0.5%, if the projected long-term EBITDA margin declined by 0.5%, or if the weighted average cost of capital increased by 0.5%, the fair values would still be higher than the book value of the reporting units. In the event of a 10% drop in the fair value of these reporting units, the fair value still would have exceeded the book value of the reporting units.
For the Consumer Wireline reporting unit, as of October 1, 2023, if the projected rate of long-term growth declined by 0.75%, if the projected long-term EBITDA margin declined by 4.0%, or if the weighted average cost of capital increased by 0.25%, it would result in impairment of the goodwill.
The fair values of our reporting units continue to be impacted by changes in the macroeconomic environment, namely increased weighted-average cost of capital. Also, inflation pressure and lower projected cash flows driven by secular declines, predominantly at Business Wireline, impacted the fair values. Future sustained declines in macroeconomic or business conditions, or higher discount rates or declines in the value of AT&T stock could result in goodwill impairment charges in future periods.
U.S. Wireless Licenses
The fair value of U.S. wireless licenses is assessed using a discounted cash flow model (the Greenfield Approach) and a qualitative corroborative market approach based on auction prices, depending upon auction activity. The Greenfield Approach assumes a company initially owns only the wireless licenses and makes investments required to build an operation comparable to current use. These licenses are tested annually for impairment on an aggregated basis, consistent with their use on a national scope for the United States. For impairment testing, we assume subscriber and revenue growth will trend up to projected levels, with a long-term growth rate reflecting expected long-term inflation trends. We assume churn rates will initially exceed our current experience but decline to rates that are in line with industry-leading churn. We used a discount rate of 10%, based on the optimal long-term capital structure of a market participant and its associated cost of debt and equity for the licenses, to calculate the present value of the projected cash flows. If either the projected rate of long-term growth of cash flows or revenues declined by 0.5%, or if the discount rate increased by 0.5%, the fair values of these wireless licenses would still be higher than the book value. The fair value of these wireless licenses exceeded their book values by more than 10%.
Income Taxes Our estimates of income taxes and the significant items giving rise to the deferred assets and liabilities are shown in Note 13 and reflect our assessment of actual future taxes to be paid on items reflected in the financial statements, giving consideration to both timing and probability of these estimates. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or the final review of our tax returns by federal, state or foreign tax authorities.
We use our judgment to determine whether it is more likely than not that we will sustain positions that we have taken on tax returns and, if so, the amount of benefit to initially recognize within our financial statements. We regularly review our uncertain tax positions and adjust our unrecognized tax benefits (UTBs) in light of changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law. These adjustments to our UTBs may affect our income tax expense. Settlement of uncertain tax positions may require use of our cash.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 1 for discussion of recently issued or adopted accounting standards.
OTHER BUSINESS MATTERS
Gigapower, LLC On May 11, 2023, we closed the transaction with BlackRock, through a fund managed by its Diversified Infrastructure business, related to Gigapower, LLC (Gigapower). The joint venture will provide a fiber network to internet service providers and other businesses across the U.S. that serve customers outside of our wireline service area. We have agreed to contribute incremental funding of up to approximately $700, which will be funded as the network is constructed. We deconsolidated Gigapower’s operations in the second quarter of 2023.
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Labor Contracts As of January 31, 2024, we employed approximately 149,900 persons. Approximately 42% of our employees are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or other unions. After expiration of the collective bargaining agreements, work stoppages or labor disruptions may occur in the absence of new contracts or other agreements being reached. The main contracts set to expire in 2024 include the following:
•A contract covering approximately 5,000 Mobility employees in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas is set to expire in February.
•A wireline contract covering approximately 8,500 employees in California and Nevada is set to expire in April.
•Three wireline contracts covering approximately 15,000 employees in the southeastern United States are set to expire in August.
Inflation Reduction Act The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Inflation Reduction Act) was enacted on August 16, 2022. The Inflation Reduction Act imposes a new 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on “applicable corporations” for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. The CAMT is imposed to the extent the alternative minimum tax exceeds a company’s regular tax liability. A corporation that pays alternative minimum tax is eligible for a credit against income tax in future years. Subject to future regulatory guidance, we currently do not believe the CAMT will have a material impact on our 2024 tax liability.
OECD On October 8, 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) announced the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting which agreed to a two-pillar solution to address tax challenges arising from digitalization of the economy. On December 20, 2021, the OECD released Pillar Two Model Rules defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large corporations at a minimum rate of 15%. The OECD has continued to release additional guidance on the two-pillar framework throughout 2022 and 2023. Several jurisdictions, including the European Union, have enacted Pillar Two legislation with varying dates into force, including January 1, 2024 for certain components. There can be no assurance that these new rules will not increase our taxes in these countries and have an adverse impact on our provision for income taxes, when enacted or enforced by participating countries in which we do business.
Environmental We are subject from time to time to judicial and administrative proceedings brought by various governmental authorities under federal, state or local environmental laws. We reference in our Forms 10-Q and 10-K certain environmental proceedings that could result in monetary sanctions (exclusive of interest and costs) of three hundred thousand dollars or more. However, we do not believe that any of those currently pending will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Continuing operations for the years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 38,314 | $ | 35,812 | $ | 37,170 | |||||
Cash used in investing activities | (19,660) | (26,899) | (32,489) | ||||||||
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (15,614) | (59,564) | 1,894 | ||||||||
At December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,722 | $ | 3,701 | |||||||
Total debt | 137,331 | 135,890 | |||||||||
We had $6,722 in cash and cash equivalents available at December 31, 2023, increasing $3,021 since December 31, 2022. Cash and cash equivalents included cash of $1,368 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $5,354. Approximately $1,381 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.
In 2023, 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, long-term debt and cumulative preferred interests in subsidiaries and distributions from DIRECTV. These inflows exceeded cash used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, repayment of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, dividend payments to stockholders, and repurchase of the Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests in AT&T Mobility II LLC (Mobility preferred interests). We maintain availability under our credit facilities and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements.
Refer to “Contractual Obligations” discussion below for additional information regarding our cash requirements.
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Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations
During 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $38,314 compared to $35,812 in 2022, reflecting operational growth and a focus to lower working capital programs, which resulted in lower device payments partially offset by lower receivable sales, net of remittances (see Note 17), and higher cash income tax payments. Cash from operating activities in 2022 also included higher voluntary benefit plan contributions.
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 $299 in 2023 and improve cash from operating activities $851 in 2022. All supplier financing payments are due within one year. (See Note 22)
Cash Used in Investing Activities from Continuing Operations
During 2023, cash used in investing activities totaled $19,660, consisting primarily of $17,853 (including interest during construction) for capital expenditures. In 2023, we received a return of investment of $2,049 from DIRECTV representing distributions in excess of cumulative equity in earnings from DIRECTV (see Note 10). We paid $2,221 of spectrum relocation and clearing costs in 2023, which we report as “Acquisitions, net of cash acquired” on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
For capital improvements, we have negotiated favorable vendor payment terms of 120 days or more (referred to as vendor financing) with some of our vendors, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported as financing activities. Vendor financing payments were $5,742 in 2023, compared to $4,697 in 2022. Capital expenditures in 2023 were $17,853, and when including $5,742 cash paid for vendor financing, capital investment was $23,595 ($728 lower than the prior year).
The vast majority of our capital expenditures are spent on our networks, including product development and related support systems. In 2023, we placed $2,651 of equipment in service under vendor financing arrangements (compared to $5,817 in 2022).
The amount of capital expenditures is influenced by demand for services and products, capacity needs and network enhancements. Our capital expenditures and vendor financing payments were slightly elevated in 2023, reflecting strategic investments. In 2024, we expect that our capital investment, which includes capital expenditures and cash paid for vendor financing, will be in the $21,000 to $22,000 range.
Cash Provided by or Used in Financing Activities from Continuing Operations
In 2023, cash used in financing activities totaled $15,614 and was comprised of debt issuances and repayments, payments of dividends, issuances and repurchase of preferred interests in subsidiaries and vendor financing payments.
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
A tabular summary of our debt activity during 2023 is as follows:
| First Quarter | Second Quarter | Third Quarter | Fourth Quarter | Full Year 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net commercial paper borrowings | $ | 2,341 | $ | 1,284 | $ | (112) | $ | (2,436) | $ | 1,077 | |||||||
Issuance of notes and debentures: | |||||||||||||||||
USD notes | $ | 1,747 | $ | 2,730 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,477 | |||||||
EUR notes | 1,319 | 3,537 | — | — | 4,856 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 1,050 | — | — | 371 | 1,421 | ||||||||||||
Debt issuances | $ | 4,116 | $ | 6,267 | $ | — | $ | 371 | $ | 10,754 | |||||||
| Repayments: | |||||||||||||||||
| Private financing | $ | — | $ | (750) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (750) | |||||||
| Repayments of other short-term borrowings | $ | — | $ | (750) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (750) | |||||||
USD notes | $ | (376) | $ | (750) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (1,126) | |||||||
EUR notes | (1,626) | (473) | (3,503) | — | (5,602) | ||||||||||||
AUD notes | — | — | (450) | — | (450) | ||||||||||||
2025 Term Loan | (2,500) | — | — | — | (2,500) | ||||||||||||
| Other | (1,443) | (441) | (327) | (155) | (2,366) | ||||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | $ | (5,945) | $ | (1,664) | $ | (4,280) | $ | (155) | $ | (12,044) | |||||||
The weighted average interest rate of our long-term debt portfolio, including credit agreement borrowings and the impact of derivatives, was approximately 4.2% as of December 31, 2023 and 4.1% as of December 31, 2022. We had $133,402 of total notes and debentures outstanding at December 31, 2023. This also included Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, and Australian dollar denominated debt that totaled approximately $35,192.
At December 31, 2023, we had $9,477 of debt maturing within one year, consisting of $2,091 of commercial paper borrowings and $7,386 of long-term debt issuances. The weighted average interest rate on our outstanding short-term borrowings was approximately 6.0% as of December 31, 2023 and 4.8% as of December 31, 2022.
During 2023, we paid $5,742 of cash under our vendor financing program, compared to $4,697 in 2022. Total vendor financing payables included in our December 31, 2023 consolidated balance sheet were $2,833, with $1,975 due within one year (in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities”) and the remainder predominantly due within five years (in “Other noncurrent liabilities”).
At December 31, 2023, we had approximately 144 million shares remaining from our share repurchase authorizations approved by the Board of Directors in 2014.
We paid dividends on common shares and preferred shares of $8,136 in 2023, compared with $9,859 in 2022. Dividends on common stock declared by our Board of Directors totaled $1.11 per share in 2023 and in 2022. Our dividend policy considers the expectations and requirements of stockholders, capital funding requirements of AT&T and long-term growth opportunities.
In April 2023, we expanded our September 2020 sale of Telco LLC cumulative preferred interests and issued an additional $5,250 of nonconvertible cumulative preferred interests (April preferreds). The April preferreds pay an initial preferred distribution of 6.85% annually, subject to declaration, and subject to reset on November 1, 2027, and every seven years thereafter. (See Note 16)
In April 2023, we also accepted the December 2022 put option notice from the AT&T pension trust and repurchased the remaining 213 million Mobility preferred interests for a purchase price, including accrued and unpaid distributions, of $5,414. The Mobility preferred interests had a redemption value of $5,320, with approximately $2,650 removed from “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” and $2,670 removed from “Other noncurrent liabilities.” The repurchase was primarily funded with proceeds from the April 2023 issuances of Telco LLC preferred interests. (See Note 16)
In June 2023, we issued $2,000 of Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests in Mobility II LLC (Mobility noncontrolling interests), which pay cash distributions of 6.8% per annum, subject to declaration. The Mobility noncontrolling interests are included in “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest” on the consolidated balance sheets. (See Note 16)
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Our 2024 financing activities will focus on managing our debt level and paying dividends, subject to approval by our Board of Directors. We plan to fund our financing uses of cash through a combination of cash from operations, issuance of debt, and asset sales. The timing and mix of any debt issuance and/or refinancing will be guided by credit market conditions and interest rate trends.
Credit Facilities
The following summary of our various credit and loan agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to each agreement filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We use credit facilities as a tool in managing our liquidity status. We currently have one $12,000 revolving credit agreement that terminates on November 18, 2028 (Revolving Credit Agreement). No amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
In November 2022, we entered into and drew on a $2,500 term loan agreement due February 16, 2025 (2025 Term Loan), with Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as agent. On March 30, 2023, the 2025 Term Loan was paid off and terminated.
We also utilize other external financing sources, which include various credit arrangements supported by government agencies to support network equipment purchases as well as a commercial paper program.
Our Revolving Credit Agreement contains covenants that are customary for an issuer with investment grade senior debt credit rating as well as a net debt-to-EBITDA financial ratio covenant requiring AT&T to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of not more than 3.75-to-1. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants for our credit facilities.
Collateral Arrangements
Most of our counterparty collateral arrangements require cash collateral posting by AT&T only when derivative market values exceed certain thresholds. Under these arrangements, which cover the majority of our approximately $39,800 derivative portfolio, counterparties are still required to post collateral. During 2023, we received approximately $220 of cash collateral, on a net basis. Cash postings under these arrangements vary with changes in credit ratings and netting agreements. (See Note 12)
Other
Our total capital consists of debt (long-term debt and debt maturing within one year), redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity. Our capital structure does not include debt issued by our equity method investments. At December 31, 2023, our debt ratio was 53.5%, compared to 56.1% at December 31, 2022 and 48.9% at December 31, 2021. The debt ratio is affected by the same factors that affect total capital, and reflects our recent debt issuances, repayments and reclassifications related to redemption of noncontrolling interests.
A significant amount of our cash outflows for continuing operations is related to tax items, acquisition of spectrum through FCC auctions and benefits paid for current and former employees:
•Total taxes incurred, collected and remitted by AT&T during 2023 and 2022, were $16,877 and $16,630. These taxes include income, franchise, property, sales, excise, payroll, gross receipts and various other taxes and fees.
•Total domestic spectrum acquired primarily through FCC auctions, including cash, exchanged spectrum, auction deposits and spectrum relocation and clearing costs was approximately $2,940 in 2023, $10,200 in 2022 and $25,400 in 2021.
•Total health and welfare benefits provided to certain active and retired employees and their dependents totaled approximately $2,990 in 2023 and $3,200 in 2022, with $624 paid from plan assets in 2023 compared to $788 in 2022. Of those benefits, approximately $2,730 related to medical and prescription drug benefits in 2023 compared to $2,840 in 2022. In addition, in 2023, we prefunded $135 for future benefit payments versus $500 in 2022. We paid $4,863 of pension benefits out of plan assets in 2023 compared to $5,854 in 2022.
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Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023, and the estimated timing of payment, are in the following table:
Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt obligations1 | $ | 146,064 | $ | 7,537 | $ | 15,801 | $ | 13,215 | $ | 109,511 | |||||||
Interest payments on long-term debt2 | 98,565 | 5,931 | 11,084 | 9,870 | 71,680 | ||||||||||||
Purchase obligations3 | 29,507 | 7,555 | 12,856 | 8,187 | 909 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations4 | 25,356 | 4,699 | 7,548 | 4,977 | 8,132 | ||||||||||||
FirstNet sustainability payments5 | 17,010 | 561 | 1,316 | 3,224 | 11,909 | ||||||||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits (UTB)6 | 9,238 | 392 | — | — | 8,846 | ||||||||||||
Other finance obligations7 | 11,733 | 2,692 | 2,374 | 1,763 | 4,904 | ||||||||||||
| Total Contractual Obligations | $ | 337,473 | $ | 29,367 | $ | 50,979 | $ | 41,236 | $ | 215,891 | |||||||
1Represents principal or payoff amounts of notes, debentures and credit agreement borrowings at maturity (see Note 11). Foreign debt includes the impact from hedges, when applicable.
2Includes credit agreement borrowings.
3We expect to fund the purchase obligations with cash provided by operations or through incremental borrowings. The minimum commitment for certain obligations is based on termination penalties that could be paid to exit the contracts. (See Note 21)
4Represents operating lease payments (see Note 8).
5Represents contractual commitment to make sustainability payments over the 25-year contract. These sustainability payments represent our commitment to fund FirstNet’s operating expenses and future reinvestment in the network, which we own and operate. FirstNet has a statutory requirement to reinvest funds that exceed the agency’s operating expenses, which we anticipate to be $15,000. (See Note 20)
6The noncurrent portion of the UTBs is included in the “More than 5 Years” column, as we cannot reasonably estimate the timing or amounts of additional cash payments, if any, at this time (see Note 13).
7Represents future minimum payments under the Crown Castle and other arrangements (see Note 18), payables subject to extended payment terms (see Note 22) and finance lease payments (see Note 8).
Certain items were excluded from this table because the year of payment is unknown and could not be reliably estimated, we believe the obligations are immaterial, or the settlement of the obligation will not require the use of cash. These items include: deferred income tax liability of $58,666 (see Note 13); net postemployment benefit obligations of $9,365 (including current portion); and other noncurrent liabilities of $8,272.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. These risks, along with other business risks, impact our cost of capital. It is our policy to manage our debt structure and foreign exchange exposure in order to manage capital costs, control financial risks and maintain financial flexibility over the long term. In managing market risks, we employ derivatives according to documented policies and procedures, including interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, foreign currency exchange contracts and combined interest rate foreign currency contracts (cross-currency swaps). We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We do not foresee significant changes in the strategies we use to manage market risk in the near future.
One of the most significant assumptions used in estimating our postretirement benefit obligations is the assumed weighted-average discount rate, which is the hypothetical rate at which the projected benefit obligations could be effectively settled or paid out to participants. We determined our discount rate based on a range of factors, including a yield curve composed of the rates of return on several hundred high-quality, fixed income corporate bonds available at the measurement date and corresponding to the related expected durations of future cash outflows for the obligations. In recent years, the discount rates have been increasingly volatile, and on average have been lower than in historical periods. Lower discount rates used to measure our pension and postretirement plans result in higher obligations. Future increases in these rates could result in lower obligations, improved funded status and actuarial gains.
Interest Rate Risk
The majority of our financial instruments are medium- and long-term fixed-rate notes and debentures. Changes in interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair value of these instruments. The principal amounts by expected maturity, average interest rate and fair value of our liabilities that are exposed to interest rate risk are described in Notes 11 and 12. In managing interest expense, we control our mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt through term loans, floating rate notes, and interest rate swaps. We have established interest rate risk limits that we closely monitor by measuring interest rate sensitivities in our debt and interest rate derivatives portfolios.
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Our foreign-denominated long-term debt has been swapped from fixed-rate or floating-rate foreign currencies to fixed-rate U.S. dollars at issuance through cross-currency swaps, removing interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk associated with the underlying interest and principal payments. Likewise, periodically we enter into interest rate locks to partially hedge the risk of increases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. We expect gains or losses on our cross-currency swaps and interest rate locks to offset the losses and gains in the financial instruments they hedge.
Below are our interest rate derivatives subject to material interest rate risk as of December 31, 2023. The interest rates illustrated below refer to the average rates we expect to pay based on current and implied forward rates and the average rates we expect to receive based on derivative contracts. The notional amount is the principal amount of the debt subject to the interest rate swap contracts. The fair value asset (liability) represents the amount we would receive (pay) if we terminated the contracts as of December 31, 2023.
We had no interest rate locks at December 31, 2023.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We principally use foreign exchange contracts to hedge costs and debt denominated in foreign currencies. We are also exposed to foreign currency exchange risk through our foreign affiliates and equity investments in foreign companies.
Through cross-currency swaps, our foreign-denominated debt has been swapped from fixed-rate or floating-rate foreign currencies to fixed-rate U.S. dollars at issuance, removing interest rate and foreign currency exchange risk associated with the underlying interest and principal payments. We expect gains or losses in our cross-currency swaps to offset the gains and losses in the financial instruments they hedge. We had cross-currency swaps with a notional value of $38,006 and a fair value of $(3,177) outstanding at December 31, 2023.
For the purpose of assessing specific risks, we use a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have on the fair value of our financial instruments and results of operations. We had no foreign exchange forward contracts at December 31, 2023.
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REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The integrity and objectivity of the data in these financial statements, including estimates and judgments relating to matters not concluded by year end, are the responsibility of management, as is all other information included in the Annual Report, unless otherwise indicated.
The financial statements of AT&T Inc. (AT&T) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Management has made available to Ernst & Young LLP all of AT&T’s financial records and related data, as well as the minutes of stockholders’ and directors’ meetings. Furthermore, management believes that all representations made to Ernst & Young LLP during its audit were valid and appropriate.
Management maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by AT&T is recorded, processed, summarized, accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
Management also seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of its financial data by the careful selection of its managers, by organizational arrangements that provide an appropriate division of responsibility and by communication programs aimed at ensuring that its policies, standards and managerial authorities are understood throughout the organization.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors meets periodically with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors to review the manner in which they are performing their respective responsibilities and to discuss auditing, internal accounting controls and financial reporting matters. Both the internal auditors and the independent auditors periodically meet alone with the Audit Committee and have access to the Audit Committee at any time.
Assessment of Internal Control
The management of AT&T is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. AT&T’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
AT&T management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on its assessment, AT&T management believes that, as of December 31, 2023, the company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report, has issued an attestation report on the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
| /s/John T. Stankey | /s/Pascal Desroches . | ||||
| John T. Stankey | Pascal Desroches | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of AT&T Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AT&T Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 23, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
| Discount rates used in determining pension and postretirement benefit obligations | |||||
Description of the Matter | At December 31, 2023, the Company’s defined benefit pension obligation was $33,227 million and exceeded the fair value of pension plan assets of $30,098 million, resulting in an unfunded benefit obligation of $3,129 million. Additionally, at December 31, 2023, the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation was $6,693 million and exceeded the fair value of postretirement plan assets of $1,763 million, resulting in an unfunded benefit obligation of $4,930 million. As explained in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company updates the assumptions used to measure the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit obligations, including discount rates, at December 31 or upon a remeasurement event. The Company determines the discount rates used to measure the obligations based on the development of a yield curve using high-quality corporate bonds selected to yield cash flows that correspond to the expected timing and amount of the expected future benefit payments. | ||||
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Auditing the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit obligations was complex due to the judgmental nature of the actuarial assumptions made by management, primarily the discount rates, used in the Company’s measurement process. The discount rates have a significant effect on the measurement of the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit obligations, and auditing the discount rates was complex because it required an evaluation of the credit quality of the corporate bonds used to develop the discount rates and the correlation of those bonds’ cash inflows to the timing and amount of future expected benefit payments. | |||||
| How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain controls over management’s review of the determination of the discount rates used in the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit obligations calculations. | ||||
To test the determination of the discount rates used in the calculation of the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit obligations, we performed audit procedures that focused on evaluating, with the assistance of our actuarial specialists, the determination of the discount rates, among other procedures. For example, we evaluated the selected yield curve used to determine the discount rates applied in measuring the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit obligations. As part of this assessment, we considered the credit quality of the corporate bonds that comprised the yield curve and compared the timing and amount of cash flows at maturity with the expected amounts and duration of the related benefit payments. | |||||
Evaluation of goodwill for impairment | |||||
Description of the Matter | At December 31, 2023, the Company’s goodwill balance was $67,854 million. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, reporting unit goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment. Estimating fair values in connection with these impairment evaluations involves the utilization of discounted cash flow and market multiple approaches. | ||||
Auditing management’s annual goodwill impairment test for the Consumer Wireline and Business Wireline reporting units was complex because the estimation of fair values involves subjective management assumptions, such as projected terminal growth rates, projected long-term EBITDA margins, and weighted average cost of capital, and complex valuation methodologies, such as the discounted cash flow and market multiple approaches. Assumptions used in these valuation models are forward-looking, and changes in these assumptions can have a material effect on the determination of fair value. | |||||
| How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain controls over the Company’s impairment evaluation processes. Our procedures included testing controls over management’s review of the valuation models and its determination of the significant assumptions described above. | ||||
Our audit procedures to test management’s impairment evaluations included, among others, assessing the valuation methodologies and significant assumptions discussed above and the underlying data used to develop such assumptions. For example, we compared the significant assumptions to current industry, market and economic trends, and other guideline companies in the same industry. Where appropriate, we evaluated whether changes to the Company’s business and other factors would affect the significant assumptions. We also assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and performed independent sensitivity analyses. We involved our valuation specialists to assist us in evaluating the methodologies and auditing the assumptions used to calculate the estimated fair values of the Company’s reporting units. | |||||
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1999.
Dallas, Texas
February 23, 2024
41
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of AT&T Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited AT&T Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, AT&T Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2023 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 23, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 23, 2024
42
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
| Consolidated Statements of Income | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Service | $ | 99,649 | $ | 97,831 | $ | 111,565 | |||||||||||
| Equipment | 22,779 | 22,910 | 22,473 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 122,428 | 120,741 | 134,038 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 23,136 | 24,009 | 23,685 | ||||||||||||||
| Broadcast, programming and operations | — | — | 8,106 | ||||||||||||||
Other cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) | 26,987 | 26,839 | 28,616 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 28,874 | 28,961 | 29,669 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | 1,193 | 27,498 | 213 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 18,777 | 18,021 | 17,852 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 98,967 | 125,328 | 108,141 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) | 23,461 | (4,587) | 25,897 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Income (Expense) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (6,704) | (6,108) | (6,716) | ||||||||||||||
| Equity in net income of affiliates | 1,675 | 1,791 | 603 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) – net | 1,416 | 5,810 | 9,387 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | (3,613) | 1,493 | 3,274 | ||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | 19,848 | (3,094) | 29,171 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense on continuing operations | 4,225 | 3,780 | 5,395 | ||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations | 15,623 | (6,874) | 23,776 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (181) | (2,297) | ||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | 15,623 | (7,055) | 21,479 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | (1,223) | (1,469) | (1,398) | ||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to AT&T | $ | 14,400 | $ | (8,524) | $ | 20,081 | |||||||||||
| Less: Preferred Stock Dividends | (208) | (203) | (207) | ||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stock | $ | 14,192 | $ | (8,727) | $ | 19,874 | |||||||||||
| Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share from continuing operations | $ | 1.97 | $ | (1.10) | $ | 3.07 | |||||||||||
| Basic Loss Per Share from discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | (0.03) | $ | (0.30) | |||||||||||
| Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Stock | $ | 1.97 | $ | (1.13) | $ | 2.77 | |||||||||||
| Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share from continuing operations | $ | 1.97 | $ | (1.10) | $ | 3.02 | |||||||||||
| Diluted Loss Per Share from discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | (0.03) | $ | (0.29) | |||||||||||
| Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Stock | $ | 1.97 | $ | (1.13) | $ | 2.73 | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
43
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 15,623 | $ | (7,055) | $ | 21,479 | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency: | |||||||||||||||||
Translation adjustment (includes $0, $0 and $(2) attributable to noncontrolling interest), net of taxes of $143, $90 and $(44) | 463 | 346 | (127) | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment included in net income (loss), net of taxes of $0, $0 and $204 | — | — | 2,087 | ||||||||||||||
Distributions of WarnerMedia, net of taxes of $0, $(38) and $0 | — | (182) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $8, $(49) and $(21) | 22 | (143) | (63) | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment included in net income (loss), net of taxes of $4, $3 and $(1) | 11 | 8 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| Derivative Instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $228, $(183) and $(192) | 922 | (648) | (715) | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment included in net income (loss), net of taxes of $12, $25 and $19 | 47 | 96 | 72 | ||||||||||||||
Distributions of WarnerMedia, net of taxes of $0, $(12) and $0 | — | (24) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Defined benefit postretirement plans: | |||||||||||||||||
Net prior service (cost) credit arising during period, net of taxes of $10, $583 and $(8) | 32 | 1,787 | (34) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income (loss), net of taxes of $(642), $(663) and $(660) | (1,963) | (2,028) | (2,020) | ||||||||||||||
Distributions of WarnerMedia, net of taxes of $0, $5 and $0 | — | 25 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | (466) | (763) | (803) | ||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | 15,157 | (7,818) | 20,676 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1,223) | (1,469) | (1,396) | ||||||||||||||
| Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AT&T | $ | 13,934 | $ | (9,287) | $ | 19,280 | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
44
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,722 | $ | 3,701 | |||||||
Accounts receivable – net of related allowance for credit loss of $499 and $588 | 10,289 | 11,466 | |||||||||
| Inventories | 2,177 | 3,123 | |||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | 17,270 | 14,818 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 36,458 | 33,108 | |||||||||
| Property, Plant and Equipment – Net | 128,489 | 127,445 | |||||||||
| Goodwill – Net | 67,854 | 67,895 | |||||||||
| Licenses – Net | 127,219 | 124,092 | |||||||||
| Other Intangible Assets – Net | 5,283 | 5,354 | |||||||||
| Investments in and Advances to Equity Affiliates | 1,251 | 3,533 | |||||||||
| Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets | 20,905 | 21,814 | |||||||||
| Other Assets | 19,601 | 19,612 | |||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 407,060 | $ | 402,853 | |||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Debt maturing within one year | $ | 9,477 | $ | 7,467 | |||||||
| Note payable to DIRECTV | — | 130 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 35,852 | 42,644 | |||||||||
| Advanced billings and customer deposits | 3,778 | 3,918 | |||||||||
| Dividends payable | 2,020 | 2,014 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 51,127 | 56,173 | |||||||||
| Long-Term Debt | 127,854 | 128,423 | |||||||||
| Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 58,666 | 57,032 | |||||||||
| Postemployment benefit obligation | 8,734 | 7,260 | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 17,568 | 18,659 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 23,696 | 28,849 | |||||||||
| Total deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities | 108,664 | 111,800 | |||||||||
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest | 1,973 | — | |||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||
Preferred stock ($1 par value, 10,000,000 authorized at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022): | |||||||||||
Series A (48,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022) | — | — | |||||||||
Series B (20,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022) | — | — | |||||||||
Series C (70,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022) | — | — | |||||||||
Common stock ($1 par value, 14,000,000,000 authorized at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022: issued 7,620,748,598 at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022) | 7,621 | 7,621 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 114,519 | 123,610 | |||||||||
| Retained (deficit) earnings | (5,015) | (19,415) | |||||||||
Treasury stock (470,685,237 at December 31, 2023 and 493,156,816 at December 31, 2022, at cost) | (16,128) | (17,082) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,300 | 2,766 | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | 14,145 | 8,957 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 117,442 | 106,457 | |||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 407,060 | $ | 402,853 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
45
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 15,623 | $ | (6,874) | $ | 23,776 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 18,777 | 18,021 | 17,852 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for uncollectible accounts | 1,969 | 1,865 | 1,241 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense | 3,037 | 2,975 | 7,412 | ||||||||||||||
| Net (gain) loss on investments, net of impairments | 441 | 381 | (369) | ||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement benefit expense (credit) | (2,552) | (3,237) | (3,857) | ||||||||||||||
Actuarial and settlement (gain) loss on pension and postretirement benefits - net | 1,594 | (1,999) | (4,143) | ||||||||||||||
| Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | 1,193 | 27,498 | 213 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Receivables | 82 | 727 | (1,125) | ||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | (642) | (674) | (1,288) | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | (1,764) | (1,109) | (1,570) | ||||||||||||||
| Equipment installment receivables and related sales | (133) | 154 | (271) | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred customer contract acquisition and fulfillment costs | 1 | (947) | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Postretirement claims and contributions | (735) | (823) | (822) | ||||||||||||||
| Other – net | 1,423 | (146) | 103 | ||||||||||||||
| Total adjustments | 22,691 | 42,686 | 13,394 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations | 38,314 | 35,812 | 37,170 | ||||||||||||||
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (17,853) | (19,626) | (15,545) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (2,942) | (10,200) | (25,453) | ||||||||||||||
| Dispositions | 72 | 199 | 7,136 | ||||||||||||||
| Distributions from DIRECTV in excess of cumulative equity in earnings | 2,049 | 2,649 | 1,323 | ||||||||||||||
(Purchases), sales and settlements of securities and investments - net | (902) | 82 | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Other – net | (84) | (3) | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Cash Used in Investing Activities from Continuing Operations | (19,660) | (26,899) | (32,489) | ||||||||||||||
| Financing Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in short-term borrowings with original maturities of three months or less | (914) | (519) | 1,316 | ||||||||||||||
| Issuance of other short-term borrowings | 5,406 | 3,955 | 21,856 | ||||||||||||||
| Repayment of other short-term borrowings | (3,415) | (18,345) | (7,510) | ||||||||||||||
| Issuance of long-term debt | 10,004 | 2,979 | 9,931 | ||||||||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (12,044) | (25,118) | (3,039) | ||||||||||||||
Note payable to DIRECTV, net of payments | (130) | (1,211) | 1,341 | ||||||||||||||
| Payment of vendor financing | (5,742) | (4,697) | (4,596) | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (194) | (890) | (202) | ||||||||||||||
| Issuance of treasury stock | 3 | 28 | 96 | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of preferred interests in subsidiary | 7,151 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Redemption of preferred interests in subsidiary | (5,333) | (2,665) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | (8,136) | (9,859) | (15,068) | ||||||||||||||
| Other – net | (2,270) | (3,222) | (2,231) | ||||||||||||||
| Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities from Continuing Operations | (15,614) | (59,564) | 1,894 | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations | 3,040 | (50,651) | 6,575 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from Discontinued Operations: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash (used in) provided by operating activities | — | (3,789) | 4,788 | ||||||||||||||
Cash provided by investing activities | — | 1,094 | 399 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | — | 35,823 | (316) | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from discontinued operations | — | 33,128 | 4,871 | ||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | 3,040 | (17,523) | 11,446 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash beginning of year | 3,793 | 21,316 | 9,870 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash End of Year | $ | 6,833 | $ | 3,793 | $ | 21,316 | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
46
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars and shares in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock – Series A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock – Series B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock – Series C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | 7,621 | $ | 7,621 | 7,621 | $ | 7,621 | 7,621 | $ | 7,621 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | 7,621 | $ | 7,621 | 7,621 | $ | 7,621 | 7,621 | $ | 7,621 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Paid-In Capital | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 123,610 | $ | 130,112 | $ | 130,175 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of WarnerMedia | — | (6,832) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends | (205) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends ($1.11 per share in 2023) | (7,991) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of treasury stock | (379) | (171) | (76) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments | (109) | (162) | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption or reclassification of interests held by noncontrolling owners | (407) | 663 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | $ | 114,519 | $ | 123,610 | $ | 130,112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retained (Deficit) Earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | (19,415) | $ | 42,350 | $ | 37,457 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to AT&T | 14,400 | (8,524) | 20,081 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of WarnerMedia | — | (45,041) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | — | (207) | (224) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends ($1.11 and $2.08 per share in 2022 and 2021, respectively) | — | (7,993) | (14,964) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | $ | (5,015) | $ | (19,415) | $ | 42,350 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
47
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars and shares in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - continued | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | (493) | $ | (17,082) | (480) | $ | (17,280) | (495) | $ | (17,910) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase and acquisition of common stock | (10) | (194) | (44) | (890) | (8) | (237) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of treasury stock | 32 | 1,148 | 31 | 1,088 | 23 | 867 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | (471) | $ | (16,128) | (493) | $ | (17,082) | (480) | $ | (17,280) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to AT&T, net of tax | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 2,766 | $ | 3,529 | $ | 4,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AT&T | (466) | (763) | (801) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | $ | 2,300 | $ | 2,766 | $ | 3,529 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling Interest1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 8,957 | $ | 17,523 | $ | 17,567 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 1,146 | 1,469 | 1,398 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance and acquisition (disposition) of noncontrolling owners | 5,180 | (21) | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption of noncontrolling interest | (53) | (2,665) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of noncontrolling interest | — | (5,997) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions | (1,085) | (1,352) | (1,447) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes | — | — | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | $ | 14,145 | $ | 8,957 | $ | 17,523 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Stockholders’ Equity at beginning of year | $ | 106,457 | $ | 183,855 | $ | 179,240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Stockholders’ Equity at end of year | $ | 117,442 | $ | 106,457 | $ | 183,855 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Excludes redeemable noncontrolling interest.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||||||||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||||||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries and affiliates which we control. AT&T is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates operate worldwide in the telecommunications and technology industries.
On April 8, 2022, we completed the separation of our WarnerMedia business, which represented substantially all of our WarnerMedia segment, in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, under which Magallanes, Inc. (Spinco), a formerly wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T that held the WarnerMedia business, was distributed to AT&T stockholders via a pro rata dividend, followed by the combination of Spinco with a subsidiary of Discovery, Inc. (Discovery), which was renamed Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD). (See Note 6)
Upon the separation and distribution, the WarnerMedia business met the criteria for discontinued operations. For discontinued operations, we also evaluated transactions that were components of AT&T’s single plan of a strategic shift, including dispositions that previously did not individually meet the criteria due to materiality, and have determined discontinued operations to be comprised of WarnerMedia, Vrio, Xandr and Playdemic Ltd. (Playdemic). These businesses are reflected in the accompanying financial statements as discontinued operations, including for periods prior to the consummation of the WarnerMedia/Discovery transaction. (See Notes 6 and 24)
On July 31, 2021, we closed our transaction with TPG Capital (TPG) to form a new company named DIRECTV Entertainment Holdings, LLC (DIRECTV). With the close of the transaction, we separated and deconsolidated our Video business, comprised of our U.S. video operations, and began accounting for our investment in DIRECTV under the equity method (see Notes 6, 10 and 19).
All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in subsidiaries and partnerships which we do not control but have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain investments accounted for using the equity method are included in our results on a one quarter lag. We also record our proportionate share of our equity method investees’ other comprehensive income (OCI) items, including translation adjustments. We treat distributions received from equity method investees as returns on investment and classify them as cash flows from operating activities until those distributions exceed our cumulative equity in the earnings of that investment. We treat the excess amount as a return of investment and classify it as cash flows from investing activities.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions, including other estimates of fair value, probable losses and expenses, that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Moreover, unfavorable changes in market conditions, including interest rates, could adversely impact those estimates and result in asset impairments. Certain prior-period amounts have been conformed to the current period’s presentation. Unless otherwise noted, the information in Notes 1 through 23 and 25 refer only to our continuing operations and do not include discussion of balances or activity of WarnerMedia, Vrio, Xandr and Playdemic, which are part of discontinued operations.
Adopted and New Accounting Standards
Supplier Finance Obligations As of January 1, 2023, we adopted, with retrospective application, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-04, “Liabilities – Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations” (ASU 2022-04), which establishes interim and annual reporting disclosure requirements about a company’s supplier finance programs for its purchase of goods and services. Interim and annual requirements include disclosure of outstanding amounts under the obligations as of the end of the reporting period, and annual requirements include a rollforward of those obligations for the annual reporting period, as well as a description of payment and other key terms of the programs. We elected to adopt the annual rollforward requirement for the year ended December 31, 2023, with prospective application (see Note 22). In the year of adoption, the disclosure of payment and other key terms under the programs and outstanding balances under the obligations also applies to interim reporting dates.
Convertible Instruments Beginning with 2022 interim reporting, we adopted, through retrospective application, ASU No. 2020-06, “Debt—Debt With Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (ASU 2020-06). ASU 2020-06 requires that instruments which may be settled in cash or stock are presumed settled in stock in calculating diluted earnings per share. Prior to the April 2023 repurchase, settlement of our Series A Cumulative Perpetual Membership Interests in AT&T Mobility II LLC (Mobility preferred interests) could have resulted in additional
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
dilutive impact, the magnitude of which was influenced by the fair value of the Mobility preferred interests and the average AT&T common stock price during the reporting period, which varied from period-to-period (see Note 16).
Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (ASU 2020-04, as amended), which provides optional expedients, and allows for certain exceptions to existing GAAP, for contract modifications triggered by the expected market transition of certain benchmark interest rates to alternative reference rates. ASU 2020-04 applies to contracts, hedging relationships, certain derivatives and other arrangements that reference the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) or any other rates ending after December 31, 2024. ASU 2020-04, as amended, became effective immediately. We do not believe our adoption of ASU 2020-04, including optional expedients, materially impacts our financial statements.
Segment Reporting In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (ASU 2023-07), which requires that a public entity disclose, on an interim and annual basis, significant segment expense categories and amounts that are regularly provided to its chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included in each reported measure of segment profit or loss. An entity must also disclose, by reportable segment, the amount and composition of other expenses. The standard requires an entity disclose the title and position of its CODM and explain how the CODM uses these reported measures in assessing segment performance and determining how to allocate resources. ASU 2023-07 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2024, with retrospective application. The standard allows early adoption of these requirements; we are currently evaluating the disclosure impacts of our adoption.
Income Taxes In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (ASU 2023-09), which requires that a public entity disclose specific categories in its annual income tax rate reconciliation table and provide additional qualitative information for reconciling items representing at least 5% of pre-tax income or loss from continuing operations, using the federal statutory tax rate. The standard also requires an annual breakdown of income taxes paid by jurisdiction (i.e., federal, state and foreign), with further disaggregation by jurisdictions representing at least 5% of total income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with prospective application.
Accounting Policies
Income Taxes We record deferred income taxes for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the computed tax basis of those assets and liabilities. We record valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets (included, together with our deferred income tax assets, as part of our reportable net deferred income tax liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets), for which the realization is uncertain. We review these items regularly in light of changes in federal, state and foreign tax laws and changes in our business.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amounts approximate fair value. At December 31, 2023, we held $1,368 in cash and $5,354 in money market funds and other cash equivalents. Of our total cash and cash equivalents, $1,381 resided in foreign jurisdictions, some of which is subject to restrictions on repatriation.
Allowance for Credit Losses We record expense to maintain an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses that result from the failure or inability of our customers to make required payments deemed collectible from the customer when the service was provided or product was delivered. When determining the allowances for trade receivables and loans, we consider the probability of recoverability of accounts receivable based on past experience, taking into account current collection trends and general economic factors, including bankruptcy rates. We also consider future economic trends to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the asset. Credit risks are assessed based on historical write-offs, net of recoveries, as well as an analysis of the aged accounts receivable balances with allowances generally increasing as the receivable ages. Accounts receivable may be fully reserved for when specific collection issues are known to exist, such as catastrophes or pending bankruptcies.
Inventories Inventories primarily consist of wireless devices and accessories and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, except for assets acquired through business combinations, which are initially recorded at fair value. The cost of additions and substantial improvements to property, plant and equipment is capitalized, and includes internal compensation costs for these projects. The cost of maintenance and repairs of property, plant and equipment is charged to operating expenses. Property, plant and equipment costs are depreciated using straight-line methods over their estimated economic lives. Certain subsidiaries follow composite group depreciation
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
methodology. Accordingly, when a portion of their depreciable property, plant and equipment is retired in the ordinary course of business, the gross book value is reclassified to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is recognized on the disposition of these assets.
Property, plant and equipment is reviewed for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. (See Note 7)
The liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, we recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate. The increase in the carrying value of the associated long-lived asset is depreciated over the corresponding estimated economic life.
Software Costs We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are included in “Property, Plant and Equipment – Net” on our consolidated balance sheets.
We amortize our capitalized software costs over a -year to -year period, reflecting the estimated period during which these assets will remain in service.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We have the following major classes of intangible assets: goodwill; licenses, which include Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other wireless licenses; customer lists and relationships; and trademarks, trade names and various other finite-lived intangible assets (see Note 9).
Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. Wireless licenses provide us with the exclusive right to utilize certain radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communications services. While wireless licenses are issued for a fixed period of time (generally ten years), renewals of domestic wireless licenses have occurred routinely and at nominal cost. We have determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of our FCC wireless licenses.
We amortize our wireless licenses in Mexico over their average remaining economic life of 25 years.
We acquired the rights to the AT&T and other trade names in previous acquisitions, classifying certain of those trade names as indefinite-lived. We have the effective ability to retain these exclusive rights permanently at a nominal cost.
Goodwill, FCC wireless licenses and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment (see Note 9). The testing is performed on the value as of October 1 each year and compares the book values of the assets to their fair values. Goodwill is tested by comparing the carrying amount of each reporting unit, deemed to be our principal operating segments or one level below them, to the fair value using both discounted cash flow as well as market multiple approaches. FCC wireless licenses are tested on an aggregate basis, consistent with our use of the licenses on a national scope, using a discounted cash flow approach. Trade names are tested by comparing their book values to their fair values calculated using a discounted cash flow approach on a presumed royalty rate derived from the revenues related to each brand name.
Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated economic lives (see Note 9). Customer lists and relationships are amortized using primarily the sum-of-the-months-digits method of amortization over the period in which those relationships are expected to contribute to our future cash flows. Finite-lived trademarks and trade names are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. The remaining finite-lived intangible assets are generally amortized using the straight-line method. These assets, along with other long-lived assets, are reviewed for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable.
Advertising Costs We expense advertising costs for products and services or for promoting our corporate image as incurred (see Note 23).
Foreign Currency Translation Our foreign subsidiaries and foreign investments generally report their earnings in their local currencies. We translate their foreign assets and liabilities at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. We translate their revenues and expenses using average rates during the year. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated OCI in our consolidated balance sheets (see Note 3).
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| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits See Note 14 for a comprehensive discussion of our pension and postretirement benefits, including a discussion of the actuarial assumptions, our policy for recognizing the associated gains and losses and our method used to estimate service and interest cost components.
NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share is shown in the table below:
| Year Ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
Numerators | |||||||||||||||||
Numerator for basic earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | $ | 15,623 | $ | (6,874) | $ | 23,776 | |||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,223) | (1,469) | (1,485) | ||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Dividends | (208) | (203) | (207) | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stock | 14,192 | (8,546) | 22,084 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustment to carrying value of noncontrolling interest | — | 663 | — | ||||||||||||||
Numerator for basic earnings per share from continuing operations1 | 14,192 | (7,883) | 22,084 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (181) | (2,297) | ||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 87 | ||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to common stock | — | (181) | (2,210) | ||||||||||||||
Numerator for basic earnings per share1 | $ | 14,192 | $ | (8,064) | $ | 19,874 | |||||||||||
| Dilutive potential common shares: | |||||||||||||||||
Mobility preferred interests2 | 72 | 526 | 560 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based payment2 | 13 | 17 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| Numerator for diluted earnings per share | $ | 14,277 | $ | (7,521) | $ | 20,456 | |||||||||||
| Denominators (000,000) | |||||||||||||||||
| Denominator for basic earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 7,181 | 7,166 | 7,168 | ||||||||||||||
| Dilutive potential common shares: | |||||||||||||||||
| Mobility preferred interests (in shares) | 71 | 378 | 304 | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based payment (in shares) | 6 | 43 | 31 | ||||||||||||||
Denominator for diluted earnings per share2 | 7,258 | 7,587 | 7,503 | ||||||||||||||
1For 2022, in the calculation of basic earnings per share, income (loss) attributable to common stock for continuing operations and total company has been increased by $663 from adjustment to carrying value of noncontrolling interest. (See Note 16) | |||||||||||||||||
2For 2022, dilutive potential common shares are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect is antidilutive as a result of the net loss. | |||||||||||||||||
On April 5, 2023, we repurchased all our Mobility preferred interests (see Note 16). For periods prior to repurchase, under ASU 2020-06, the ability to settle the Mobility preferred interests in stock was reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculation (see Note 1).
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
NOTE 3. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Changes in the balances of each component included in accumulated OCI are presented below. All amounts are net of tax and exclude noncontrolling interest.
| Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | (3,926) | $ | 111 | $ | (779) | $ | 8,924 | $ | 4,330 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (125) | (63) | (715) | (34) | (937) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI | 2,087 | 1,4 | (3) | 1 | 72 | 2 | (2,020) | 3 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,962 | (66) | (643) | (2,054) | (801) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 | (1,964) | 45 | (1,422) | 6,870 | 3,529 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 346 | (143) | (648) | 1,787 | 1,342 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI | — | 1 | 8 | 1 | 96 | 2 | (2,028) | 3 | (1,924) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of WarnerMedia | (182) | — | (24) | 25 | (181) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | 164 | (135) | (576) | (216) | (763) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | (1,800) | (90) | (1,998) | 6,654 | 2,766 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 463 | 22 | 922 | 32 | 1,439 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI | — | 1 | 11 | 1 | 47 | 2 | (1,963) | 3 | (1,905) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | 463 | 33 | 969 | (1,931) | (466) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $ | (1,337) | $ | (57) | $ | (1,029) | $ | 4,723 | $ | 2,300 | |||||||||||||||||||
1(Gains) losses are included in “Other income (expense) – net” in the consolidated statements of income. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2(Gains) losses are primarily included in “Interest expense” in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 12). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3The amortization of prior service credits associated with postretirement benefits is included in “Other income (expense) – net” in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 14). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4Represents unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments at Vrio that were released upon sale (see Note 6). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 4. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Our segments are comprised of strategic business units or other operations that offer products and services to different customer segments over various technology platforms and/or in different geographies that are managed accordingly. We have two reportable segments: Communications and Latin America.
We also evaluate segment and business unit performance based on EBITDA and/or EBITDA margin, which is defined as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is used as part of our management reporting and we believe EBITDA to be a relevant and useful measurement to our investors as it measures the cash generation potential of our business units. EBITDA does not give effect to depreciation and amortization expenses incurred in operating income nor is it burdened by cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for distributions, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by total revenue.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Effective for the first quarter of 2023, we stopped recording prior service credits to our individual business units or the corresponding charge to Corporate and Other, and segment operating expenses were recast to remove prior service credits from our historical reporting. Prior service credits are, and will continue to be, recorded as other income in our consolidated income statement in accordance with GAAP. This recast increased Communications segment operations and support expenses by approximately $2,400 in 2022 and $2,100 in 2021. Correspondingly, this recast lowered administrative expenses within Corporate and Other, with no change on a consolidated basis.
The Communications segment provides wireless and wireline telecom and broadband services to consumers located in the U.S. and businesses globally. Our business strategies reflect integrated product offerings that cut across product lines and utilize shared assets. This segment contains the following business units:
•Mobility provides nationwide wireless service and equipment.
•Business Wireline provides advanced ethernet-based fiber services, IP Voice and managed professional services, as well as traditional voice and data services and related equipment to business customers.
•Consumer Wireline provides broadband services, including fiber connections that provide multi-gig services to residential customers in select locations and our fixed wireless access product that provides home internet services delivered over our 5G wireless network where available. Consumer Wireline also provides legacy telephony voice communication services.
The Latin America segment provides wireless services and equipment in Mexico.
Corporate and Other reconciles our segment results to consolidated operating income and income before income taxes.
Corporate includes:
•DTV-related retained costs, which are costs previously allocated to the Video business that were retained after the transaction, net of reimbursements from DIRECTV under transition service agreements.
•Parent administration support, which includes costs borne by AT&T where the business units do not influence decision making.
•Securitization fees associated with our sales of receivables (see Note 17).
•Value portfolio, which are businesses no longer integral to our operations or which we no longer actively market.
Other items consist of:
•Video, which includes our former U.S. video operations that were contributed to DIRECTV on July 31, 2021 (see Note 19).
•Held-for-sale and other reclassifications, which includes our former Crunchyroll and Government Solutions businesses.
•Certain significant items, which includes items associated with the merger and integration of acquired or divested businesses, including amortization of intangible assets, employee separation charges associated with voluntary and/or strategic offers, asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring, and other items for which the segments are not being evaluated.
•Eliminations and consolidations, removed transactions involving dealings between Mobility and our Video business, prior to the July 31, 2021 separation of Video.
“Interest expense” and “Other income (expense) – net” are managed only on a total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated results.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | Operations and Support Expenses | EBITDA | Depreciation and Amortization | Operating Income (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mobility | $ | 83,982 | $ | 49,604 | $ | 34,378 | $ | 8,517 | $ | 25,861 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Business Wireline | 20,883 | 14,217 | 6,666 | 5,377 | 1,289 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer Wireline | 13,173 | 9,053 | 4,120 | 3,469 | 651 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Communications | 118,038 | 72,874 | 45,164 | 17,363 | 27,801 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America – Mexico | 3,932 | 3,349 | 583 | 724 | (141) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Total | 121,970 | 76,223 | 45,747 | 18,087 | 27,660 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DTV-related retained costs | — | 686 | (686) | 586 | (1,272) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent administration support | (7) | 1,416 | (1,423) | 6 | (1,429) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securitization fees | 85 | 604 | (519) | — | (519) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Value portfolio | 380 | 99 | 281 | 22 | 259 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Corporate | 458 | 2,805 | (2,347) | 614 | (2,961) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain significant items | — | 1,162 | (1,162) | 76 | (1,238) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Corporate and Other | 458 | 3,967 | (3,509) | 690 | (4,199) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T Inc. | $ | 122,428 | $ | 80,190 | $ | 42,238 | $ | 18,777 | $ | 23,461 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
| For the year ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | Operations and Support Expenses | EBITDA | Depreciation and Amortization | Operating Income (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mobility | $ | 78,254 | $ | 47,453 | $ | 30,801 | $ | 8,122 | $ | 22,679 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Business Wireline | 23,937 | 15,653 | 8,284 | 5,192 | 3,092 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer Wireline | 12,539 | 8,922 | 3,617 | 3,095 | 522 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Communications | 114,730 | 72,028 | 42,702 | 16,409 | 26,293 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America – Mexico | 2,747 | 2,652 | 95 | 605 | (510) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Total | 117,477 | 74,680 | 42,797 | 17,014 | 25,783 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DTV-related retained costs | 49 | 413 | (364) | 236 | (600) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent administration support | (18) | 1,699 | (1,717) | 36 | (1,753) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securitization fees | 61 | 89 | (28) | — | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Value portfolio | 639 | 208 | 431 | 40 | 391 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Corporate | 731 | 2,409 | (1,678) | 312 | (1,990) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video | 15,513 | 12,900 | 2,613 | 356 | 2,257 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Held-for-sale and other reclassifications | 453 | 310 | 143 | — | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain significant items | — | 126 | (126) | 170 | (296) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eliminations and consolidations | (136) | (136) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Corporate and Other | 16,561 | 15,609 | 952 | 838 | 114 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T Inc. | $ | 134,038 | $ | 90,289 | $ | 43,749 | $ | 17,852 | $ | 25,897 | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table is a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to “Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes” reported in our consolidated statements of income:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Communications | $ | 27,801 | $ | 26,736 | $ | 26,293 | |||||||||||
| Latin America | (141) | (326) | (510) | ||||||||||||||
| Segment Operating Income | 27,660 | 26,410 | 25,783 | ||||||||||||||
| Reconciling Items: | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | (2,961) | (2,890) | (1,990) | ||||||||||||||
| Video | — | — | 2,257 | ||||||||||||||
| Held-for-sale and other reclassifications | — | — | 143 | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction and other costs | (98) | (425) | (41) | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles acquired | (76) | (76) | (170) | ||||||||||||||
| Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | (1,193) | (27,498) | (213) | ||||||||||||||
| Benefit-related gains (losses) | 129 | (108) | 128 | ||||||||||||||
| AT&T Operating Income (Loss) | 23,461 | (4,587) | 25,897 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 6,704 | 6,108 | 6,716 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity in net income of affiliates | 1,675 | 1,791 | 603 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) – net | 1,416 | 5,810 | 9,387 | ||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | $ | 19,848 | $ | (3,094) | $ | 29,171 | |||||||||||
56
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table sets forth revenues earned from customers, and property, plant and equipment located in different geographic areas:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | Net Property, Plant & Equipment | Revenues | Net Property, Plant & Equipment | Revenues | Net Property, Plant & Equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 117,097 | $ | 124,387 | $ | 116,006 | $ | 123,305 | $ | 129,157 | $ | 117,690 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 3,993 | 3,750 | 3,210 | 3,718 | 2,824 | 3,460 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia/Pacific Rim | 521 | 99 | 592 | 124 | 747 | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 504 | 166 | 584 | 201 | 907 | 249 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latin America | 194 | 67 | 217 | 74 | 251 | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 119 | 20 | 132 | 23 | 152 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 122,428 | $ | 128,489 | $ | 120,741 | $ | 127,445 | $ | 134,038 | $ | 121,649 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents assets, investments in equity affiliates and capital expenditures by segment:
| At or for the years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Investments in Equity Method Investees | Capital Expenditures | Assets | Investments in Equity Method Investees | Capital Expenditures | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | $ | 504,006 | $ | — | $ | 16,876 | $ | 471,444 | $ | — | $ | 18,962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latin America | 9,314 | — | 298 | 8,408 | — | 360 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and eliminations | (106,260) | 1,251 | 679 | (76,999) | 3,533 | 304 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 407,060 | $ | 1,251 | $ | 17,853 | $ | 402,853 | $ | 3,533 | $ | 19,626 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 5. REVENUE RECOGNITION
We report our revenues net of sales taxes and record certain regulatory fees, primarily Universal Service Fund (USF) fees, on a net basis. No customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues in 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Wireless, Advanced Data, Legacy Voice & Data Services and Equipment Revenue
We offer service-only contracts and contracts that bundle equipment used to access the services and/or with other service offerings. Some contracts have fixed terms and others are cancelable on a short-term basis (i.e., month-to-month arrangements).
Examples of service revenues include wireless, strategic services (e.g., virtual private network service), and legacy voice and data (e.g., traditional local and long-distance). These services represent a series of distinct services that is considered a separate performance obligation. Service revenue is recognized when services are provided, based upon either usage (e.g., bytes of data processed) or period of time (e.g., monthly service fees).
Some of our services require customer premises equipment that, when combined and integrated with AT&T’s specific network infrastructure, facilitates the delivery of service to the customer. In evaluating whether the equipment is a separate performance obligation, we consider the customer’s ability to benefit from the equipment on its own or together with other readily available resources and if so, whether the service and equipment are separately identifiable (i.e., is the service highly dependent on, or highly interrelated with the equipment). When equipment is a separate performance obligation, we record the sale of equipment when title has passed and the products are accepted by the customer. For devices sold through indirect channels (e.g., national retailers), revenue is recognized when the retailer accepts the device, not upon activation.
Our equipment and service revenues are predominantly recognized on a gross basis, as most of our services do not involve a third party and we typically control the equipment that is sold to our customers.
Revenue recognized from fixed term contracts that bundle services and/or equipment is allocated based on the standalone selling price of all required performance obligations of the contract (i.e., each item included in the bundle). Promotional discounts are attributed to each required component of the arrangement, resulting in recognition over the contract term.
57
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Standalone selling prices are determined by assessing prices paid for service-only contracts (e.g., arrangements where customers bring their own devices) and standalone device pricing.
We offer the majority of our customers the option to purchase certain wireless devices in installments over a specified period of time, and, in many cases, they may be eligible to trade in the original equipment for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance paid or settled. For customers that elect these equipment installment payment programs, at the point of sale, we recognize revenue for the entire amount of revenue allocated to the customer receivable net of fair value of the trade-in right guarantee, when applicable. The difference between the revenue recognized and the consideration received is recorded as a note receivable when the devices are not discounted and our right to consideration is unconditional. When installment sales include promotional discounts that are earned by customers over the contract term (e.g., “buy one get one free” or equipment discounts with trade-in of a device), notes receivable are recognized net of discounts and the difference between revenue recognized and consideration received is recorded as a contract asset to be amortized over the contract term.
Less commonly, we offer certain customers highly discounted devices when they enter into a minimum service agreement term. For these contracts, we recognize equipment revenue at the point of sale based on a standalone selling price allocation. The difference between the revenue recognized and the cash received is recorded as a contract asset that will amortize over the contract term.
Our contracts allow for customers to frequently modify their arrangement, without incurring penalties in many cases. When a contract is modified, we evaluate the change in scope or price of the contract to determine if the modification should be treated as a new contract or if it should be considered a change of the existing contract. We generally do not have significant impacts from contract modifications.
Revenues from transactions between us and our customers are recorded net of revenue-based regulatory fees and taxes. Cash incentives given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue. Nonrefundable, upfront service activation and setup fees associated with service arrangements are deferred and recognized over the associated service contract period or customer relationship life.
Revenue Categories
The following tables set forth reported revenue by category and by business unit:
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mobility | Business Wireline | Consumer Wireline | Latin America | Corporate & Other | Elim. | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wireless service | $ | 63,175 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,569 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 65,744 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business service | — | 20,274 | — | — | — | — | 20,274 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband | — | — | 10,455 | — | — | — | 10,455 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legacy voice and data | — | — | 1,508 | — | 294 | — | 1,802 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | 1,210 | — | 164 | — | 1,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Service | 63,175 | 20,274 | 13,173 | 2,569 | 458 | — | 99,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 20,807 | 609 | — | 1,363 | — | — | 22,779 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 83,982 | $ | 20,883 | $ | 13,173 | $ | 3,932 | $ | 458 | $ | — | $ | 122,428 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
58
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mobility | Business Wireline | Consumer Wireline | Latin America | Corporate & Other | Elim. | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wireless service | $ | 60,499 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,162 | $ | 13 | $ | — | $ | 62,674 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business service | — | 21,891 | — | — | — | — | 21,891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadband | — | — | 9,669 | — | — | — | 9,669 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legacy voice and data | — | — | 1,746 | — | 323 | — | 2,069 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | 1,334 | — | 194 | — | 1,528 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Service | 60,499 | 21,891 | 12,749 | 2,162 | 530 | — | 97,831 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 21,281 | 647 | — | 982 | — | — | 22,910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 81,780 | $ | 22,538 | $ | 12,749 | $ | 3,144 | $ | 530 | $ | — | $ | 120,741 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred Customer Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs
Costs to acquire and fulfill customer contracts, including commissions on service activations, for our Mobility, Business Wireline and Consumer Wireline services, are deferred and amortized over the contract period or expected customer relationship life, which typically ranges from three years to five years.
During the first quarter of 2022, we updated our analysis of expected economic lives of customer relationships. As of January 1, 2022, we extended the amortization period for deferred acquisition and fulfillment contract costs within Mobility, Business Wireline, and Consumer Wireline to better reflect the estimated economic lives of the relationships. These changes in accounting estimate decreased “Other cost of revenues” approximately $395, or $0.04 per diluted share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following table presents the deferred customer contract acquisition and fulfillment costs included on our consolidated balance sheets at December 31:
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Deferred Acquisition Costs | |||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | $ | 3,233 | $ | 2,893 | |||||||
| Other Assets | 4,077 | 3,913 | |||||||||
| Total deferred customer contract acquisition costs | $ | 7,310 | $ | 6,806 | |||||||
| Deferred Fulfillment Costs | |||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | $ | 2,340 | $ | 2,481 | |||||||
| Other Assets | 3,843 | 4,206 | |||||||||
| Total deferred customer contract fulfillment costs | $ | 6,183 | $ | 6,687 | |||||||
59
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table presents deferred customer contract acquisition and fulfillment cost amortization, which are primarily included in “Selling, general and administrative” and “Other cost of revenues,” respectively, for the years ended December 31:
| Consolidated Statements of Income | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Deferred acquisition cost amortization | $ | 3,476 | $ | 2,935 | |||||||
| Deferred fulfillment cost amortization | 2,700 | 2,688 | |||||||||
Contract Assets and Liabilities
A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of our right to bill and receive consideration. The contract asset will decrease as services are provided and billed. For example, when installment sales include promotional discounts (e.g., trade-in device credits) the difference between revenue recognized and consideration received is recorded as a contract asset to be amortized over the contract term.
Our contract assets primarily relate to our wireless businesses. Promotional equipment sales where we offer handset credits, which are allocated between equipment and service in proportion to their standalone selling prices, when customers commit to a specified service period result in additional contract assets recognized. These contract assets will amortize over the service contract period, resulting in lower future service revenue.
When consideration is received in advance of the delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded. Reductions in the contract liability will be recorded as we satisfy the performance obligations.
The following table presents contract assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets at December 31:
Consolidated Balance Sheets | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Contract asset | $ | 6,518 | $ | 5,512 | |||||||
| Current portion in “Prepaid and other current assets” | 3,549 | 2,941 | |||||||||
| Contract liability | 3,994 | 4,170 | |||||||||
| Current portion in “Advanced billings and customer deposits” | 3,666 | 3,816 | |||||||||
Our contract asset balance in 2023 reflects increased promotional equipment sales in our wireless business.
Our beginning of period contract liabilities recorded as customer contract revenue during 2023 was $3,830.
Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining performance obligations represent services we are required to provide to customers under bundled or discounted arrangements, which are satisfied as services are provided over the contract term. In determining the transaction price allocated, we do not include non-recurring charges and estimates for usage, nor do we consider arrangements with an original expected duration of less than one year, which are primarily prepaid wireless and residential internet agreements.
Remaining performance obligations associated with business contracts reflect recurring charges billed, adjusted to reflect estimates for sales incentives and revenue adjustments. Performance obligations associated with wireless contracts are estimated using a portfolio approach in which we review all relevant promotional activities, calculating the remaining performance obligation using the average service component for the portfolio and the average device price. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $38,613, of which we expect to recognize approximately 82% by the end of 2025, with the balance recognized thereafter.
NOTE 6. ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSITIONS AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS
Acquisitions
Spectrum Auctions On January 14, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that we were the winning bidder for 1,624 3.45 GHz licenses in Auction 110. We provided the FCC an upfront deposit of $123 in the third quarter of 2021 and paid the remaining $8,956 in the first quarter of 2022, for a total of $9,079. We funded the purchase price using cash and short-term investments. We received the licenses in May 2022 and classified the auction deposits and related capitalized interest as “Licenses – Net” on our December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet.
60
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
In February 2021, the FCC announced that AT&T was the winning bidder for 1,621 C-Band licenses, comprised of a total of 80 MHz nationwide, including 40 MHz in Phase I. We provided to the FCC an upfront deposit of $550 in 2020 and cash payments totaling $22,856 in the first quarter of 2021, for a total of $23,406. We received the licenses in July 2021 and classified the auction deposits, related capitalized interest and billed relocation costs as “Licenses – Net” on our December 31, 2021 consolidated balance sheet. In December 2021, we paid $955 of Incentive Payments upon clearing of Phase I spectrum and paid $2,112 upon clearing of Phase II spectrum in 2023. Additionally, we are responsible for approximately $1,100 of compensable relocation costs over the next several years as the spectrum is being cleared by satellite operators, of which we paid $650 in 2021, $98 in 2022 and $109 in 2023. Funding for the purchase price of the spectrum included a combination of cash on hand and short-term investments, as well as short- and long-term debt.
Cash paid, including spectrum deposits (net of refunds), capitalized interest, and any payments for incentive and relocation costs are included in “Acquisitions, net of cash acquired” on our consolidated statements of cash flows. Interest is capitalized until the spectrum is ready for its intended use.
Dispositions
Video Business On July 31, 2021, we closed our transaction with TPG to form a new company named DIRECTV, which is jointly governed by a board with representation from both AT&T and TPG, with TPG having tie-breaking authority on certain key decisions, most significantly the appointment and removal of the CEO.
In connection with the transaction, we contributed our U.S. Video business unit to DIRECTV for $4,250 of junior preferred units, an additional distribution preference of $4,200 and a 70% economic interest in common units (collectively “equity considerations”). TPG contributed approximately $1,800 in cash to DIRECTV for $1,800 of senior preferred units and a 30% economic interest in common units. See Note 10 for additional information on our accounting for our investment in DIRECTV.
Upon close of the transaction in the third quarter of 2021, we received approximately $7,170 in cash from DIRECTV ($7,600, net of $430 cash on hand) and transferred $195 of DIRECTV debt. Approximately $1,800 of the cash received is reported as cash received from financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows, as it related to a note payable to DIRECTV, for which payment was tied to our agreement to cover net losses under the remaining term of the NFL SUNDAY TICKET contract up to a cap of $2,100 over the remaining period of the contract (see Note 19). The remainder of the net proceeds is reported as cash from investing activities. This transaction did not result in a material gain or loss.
Dispositions Reflected as Discontinued Operations
WarnerMedia On April 8, 2022, we completed the separation and distribution of our WarnerMedia business, and merger of Spinco, an AT&T subsidiary formed to hold the WarnerMedia business, with a subsidiary of Discovery, Inc., which was renamed Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc (WBD). Each AT&T shareholder was entitled to receive 0.241917 shares of WBD common stock for each share of AT&T common stock held as of the record date, which represented approximately 71% of WBD. In connection with and in accordance with the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement (SDA), prior to the distribution and merger, AT&T received approximately $40,400, which includes $38,800 of Spinco cash and $1,600 of debt retained by WarnerMedia. During the second quarter of 2022, $45,041 of retained earnings and $5,632 of additional paid-in capital associated with the transaction were removed from our balance sheet. Additionally, in August 2022, we and WBD finalized the post-closing adjustment, pursuant to Section 1.3 of the SDA, which resulted in a $1,200 payment to WBD in the third quarter of 2022 and was reflected in the balance sheet as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. (See Note 24)
Xandr On June 6, 2022, we completed the sale of the marketplace component of Xandr to Microsoft Corporation. Xandr was reflected in our historical financial statements as discontinued operations.
Vrio On November 15, 2021, we completed the sale of our Latin America video operations, Vrio, to Grupo Werthein and recorded a note receivable of $610 to be paid over four years, of which $300 is in the form of seller financing and the remainder is related to working capital adjustments. In the second quarter of 2021, we classified the Vrio disposal group as held-for-sale and reported the disposal group at fair value less cost to sell, which resulted in a noncash, pre-tax impairment charge of $4,555, including approximately $2,100 related to accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments and $2,500 related to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Approximately $80 of the impairment was attributable to noncontrolling interest. This disposition did not result in a net material gain or loss.
Otter Media During the third quarter of 2021, we disposed of substantially all of the assets of Otter Media. We received approximately $1,540 in cash. The disposition did not result in a material gain or loss.
61
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Playdemic Ltd. On September 20, 2021, we sold WarnerMedia’s mobile games app studio, Playdemic for approximately $1,370 in cash and recognized a pre-tax gain of $706 in “Other income (expense) – net,” on our consolidated statement of income.
NOTE 7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows at December 31:
Lives (years) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Land | - | $ | 1,377 | $ | 1,381 | ||||||||||||
| Buildings and improvements | 2-44 | 39,380 | 38,751 | ||||||||||||||
Central office equipment1 | 3-10 | 100,264 | 98,468 | ||||||||||||||
| Cable, wiring and conduit | 15-50 | 90,109 | 84,447 | ||||||||||||||
| Other equipment | 3-20 | 85,379 | 81,761 | ||||||||||||||
| Software | 3-7 | 17,742 | 17,640 | ||||||||||||||
| Under construction | - | 5,640 | 7,182 | ||||||||||||||
| 339,891 | 329,630 | ||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation and amortization | 211,402 | 202,185 | |||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment – net | $ | 128,489 | $ | 127,445 | |||||||||||||
1 Includes certain network software. | |||||||||||||||||
Our depreciation expense was $18,593 in 2023, $17,852 in 2022, and $17,634 in 2021. Depreciation expense included amortization of software totaling $3,023 in 2023, $2,972 in 2022 and $2,909 in 2021.
In December 2022, we recorded a noncash pre-tax charge of $1,413 to abandon conduits that will not be utilized to support future network activity. The abandonment was considered outside the ordinary course of business.
During the first quarter of 2022, we updated our analysis of economic lives of AT&T owned fiber network assets. As of January 1, 2022, we extended the estimated economic life and depreciation period of such costs to better reflect the physical life of the assets that we had been experiencing and absence of technological changes that would replace fiber as the best broadband technology in the industry. The change in accounting estimate decreased depreciation expense $280, or $0.03 per diluted share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
NOTE 8. LEASES
We have operating and finance leases for certain facilities and equipment used in our operations. Our leases generally have remaining lease terms of up to 15 years. Some of our operating leases (e.g., for towers and real estate) contain renewal options that may be exercised, and some of our leases include options to terminate the leases within one year.
We have recognized a right-of-use asset for both operating and finance leases, and a corresponding lease liability that represents the present value of our obligation to make payments over the lease term. The present value of the lease payments is calculated using the incremental borrowing rate for operating and finance leases, which was determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. We use the unsecured borrowing rate and risk-adjust that rate to approximate a collateralized rate in the currency of the lease, which will be updated on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease liabilities.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Operating lease cost | $ | 5,577 | $ | 5,437 | $ | 5,363 | |||||
| Finance lease cost: | |||||||||||
Amortization of leased assets in property, plant and equipment | $ | 232 | $ | 204 | $ | 179 | |||||
| Interest on lease obligation | 184 | 159 | 145 | ||||||||
| Total finance lease cost | $ | 416 | $ | 363 | $ | 324 | |||||
62
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table provides supplemental cash flows information related to leases:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in lease obligations: | |||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | 4,588 | $ | 4,679 | $ | 4,580 | |||||
| Supplemental Lease Cash Flow Disclosures | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations | 2,693 | 3,751 | 3,396 | ||||||||
The following tables set forth supplemental balance sheet information related to leases at December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Operating Leases | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | $ | 20,905 | $ | 21,814 | ||||
| $ | 3,524 | $ | 3,547 | |||||
| 17,568 | 18,659 | |||||||
| Total operating lease obligation | $ | 21,092 | $ | 22,206 | ||||
| Finance Leases | ||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, at cost | $ | 2,828 | $ | 2,770 | ||||
| Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (1,399) | (1,224) | ||||||
| $ | 1,429 | $ | 1,546 | |||||
| $ | 183 | $ | 170 | |||||
| 1,655 | 1,647 | |||||||
| Total finance lease obligation | $ | 1,838 | $ | 1,817 | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term (years) | ||||||||
| Operating leases | 7.7 | 8.1 | ||||||
| Finance leases | 7.2 | 7.9 | ||||||
| Weighted-Average Discount Rate | ||||||||
| Operating leases | 4.1 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||
| Finance leases | 8.3 | % | 8.0 | % | ||||
63
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table provides the expected future minimum maturities of lease obligations:
At December 31, 2023 | Operating Leases | Finance Leases | |||||||||
| 2024 | $ | 4,699 | $ | 334 | |||||||
| 2025 | 4,105 | 338 | |||||||||
| 2026 | 3,443 | 331 | |||||||||
| 2027 | 2,805 | 331 | |||||||||
| 2028 | 2,172 | 334 | |||||||||
| Thereafter | 8,132 | 840 | |||||||||
| Total lease payments | 25,356 | 2,508 | |||||||||
| Less: imputed interest | (4,264) | (670) | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 21,092 | $ | 1,838 | |||||||
NOTE 9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
We test goodwill for impairment at a reporting unit level, which is deemed to be our principal operating segments or one level below. With our annual impairment testing as of October 1, the calculated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its book value; however, the Consumer Wireline fair value exceeded its book value by less than 10%, with interest rates negatively impacting fair value, offset by higher long-term cash flow projections driven by our fiber investment.
In 2022, we recorded noncash impairment charges of $13,478 in our Business Wireline reporting unit, $10,508 in our Consumer Wireline reporting unit and $826 in our Mexico reporting unit. The decline in fair values was primarily due to changes in the macroeconomic environment, namely increased weighted-average cost of capital. Also, inflation pressure and lower projected cash flows driven by secular declines, predominantly at Business Wireline, impacted the fair values. A combination of discounted cash flow and market multiple approaches was used to determine the fair values. In the Communications segment, if all other assumptions were to remain unchanged, we expect the impairment charge would have increased by approximately $3,400 if the weighted average cost of capital increased by 25 basis points, or $2,100 if the projected terminal growth rate declined by 25 basis points, or $2,800 if the projected long-term EBITDA margin declined 100 basis points.
Changes to our goodwill in 2023 primarily resulted from goodwill attributed to assets contributed to the formation of strategic joint ventures. Changes to our goodwill in 2022 primarily resulted from the noncash impairments discussed above.
At December 31, 2023, our Communications segment has three reporting units: Mobility, Business Wireline and Consumer Wireline. The reporting unit is deemed to be the operating segment for Latin America.
The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by operating segment:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at Jan. 1 | Dispositions and other | Balance at Dec. 31 | Balance at Jan. 1 | Impairments | Dispositions, currency exchange and other | Balance at Dec. 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | 91,881 | $ | (41) | $ | 91,840 | $ | 91,924 | $ | — | $ | (43) | $ | 91,881 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated Impairments | (23,986) | — | (23,986) | — | (23,986) | — | (23,986) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net goodwill | 67,895 | (41) | 67,854 | 91,924 | (23,986) | (43) | 67,895 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latin America | — | — | — | 816 | (826) | 10 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 67,895 | $ | (41) | $ | 67,854 | $ | 92,740 | $ | (24,812) | $ | (33) | $ | 67,895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We review amortizing intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable over the remaining life of the asset or asset group.
64
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Indefinite-lived wireless licenses increased in 2023 primarily due to compensable relocation and incentive payments and $695 of capitalized interest (see Notes 6 and 23).
Indefinite-lived wireless licenses increased in 2022 primarily due to auction activity and $1,120 of capitalized interest (see Notes 6 and 23).
Our other intangible assets at December 31 are summarized as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Intangible Assets | Weighted-Average Life | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Currency Translation Adjustment | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Currency Translation Adjustment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized intangible assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wireless licenses | 21.6 years | $ | 3,034 | $ | 572 | $ | 23 | $ | 3,045 | $ | 425 | $ | (297) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer lists and relationships | 14.3 years | 379 | 286 | (74) | 413 | 304 | (75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademarks, trade names and other | 7.8 years | 289 | 261 | (5) | 330 | 245 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 21.4 years | $ | 3,702 | $ | 1,119 | $ | (56) | $ | 3,788 | $ | 974 | $ | (378) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization:
| Wireless licenses | $ | 124,734 | $ | 121,769 | ||||||||||
| Trade names | 5,241 | 5,241 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 129,975 | $ | 127,010 | ||||||||||
Amortized intangible assets are definite-life assets, and, as such, we record amortization expense based on a method that most appropriately reflects our expected cash flows from these assets. Amortization expense for definite-life intangible assets was $184 for the year ended December 31, 2023, $169 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and $218 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is: $171 for 2024, $164 for 2025, $164 for 2026, $164 for 2027 and $163 for 2028.
NOTE 10. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
Investments in partnerships, joint ventures and less than majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method.
On May 11, 2023, we closed our transaction with BlackRock, through a fund managed by its Diversified Infrastructure business, related to Gigapower, LLC (Gigapower). We deconsolidated Gigapower’s operations and began accounting for it as an equity method investment on May 12, 2023.
On July 31, 2021, we closed our transaction with TPG to form a new company named DIRECTV (see Note 6). The transaction resulted in our deconsolidation of the Video business, with DIRECTV being accounted for under the equity method beginning August 1, 2021.
Our investments in equity affiliates at December 31, 2023, primarily included our interests in DIRECTV, Gigapower and SKY Mexico.
DIRECTV We account for our investment in DIRECTV under the equity method of accounting. DIRECTV is considered a variable interest entity for accounting purposes. As DIRECTV is jointly governed by a board with representation from both AT&T and TPG, with TPG having tie-breaking authority on certain key decisions, most significantly the appointment and removal of the CEO, we have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of DIRECTV.
The ownership interests in DIRECTV, based on seniority are as follows:
•Preferred units with distribution rights of $1,800 held by TPG, which were fully distributed in 2021.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
•Junior preferred units with distribution rights of $4,250 held by AT&T, which were fully distributed as of December 31, 2023.
•Distribution preference associated with Common units of $4,200 held by AT&T, of which $2,975 of distribution rights remain as of December 31, 2023.
•Common units, with 70% held by AT&T and 30% held by TPG.
The initial fair value of the equity considerations on July 31, 2021 was $6,852, which was determined using a discounted cash flow model reflecting distribution rights and preference of the individual instruments. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized $1,666, $1,808 and $619 of equity in net income of affiliates and received total distributions of $3,715, $4,457 and $1,942, respectively, from DIRECTV. The book value of our investment in DIRECTV was $877 and $2,911 at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Our share of net income or loss may differ from the stated ownership percentage interest of DIRECTV as the terms of the arrangement prescribe substantive non-proportionate cash distributions, both from operations and in liquidation, that are based on classes of interests held by investors. In the event that DIRECTV records a loss, that loss will be allocated to ownership interests based on their seniority, beginning with the most subordinated interests.
Gigapower We hold a 50% interest in this joint venture with BlackRock, which will provide a fiber network to internet service providers and other businesses across the U.S. that serve customers outside of our wireline service area.
SKY Mexico We hold a 41.3% interest in SKY Mexico, which is a leading pay-TV provider in Mexico.
The following table presents summarized financial information for DIRECTV and our other equity method investments, consisting primarily of Gigapower, SKY Mexico and certain sports-related programming investments, at December 31, or for the year then ended:
The following table is a reconciliation of our investments in equity affiliates as presented on our consolidated balance sheets:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Beginning of year | $ | 3,533 | $ | 6,168 | |||||||
| Additional investments | 135 | 3 | |||||||||
| Distributions from DIRECTV in excess of cumulative equity in earnings | (2,049) | (2,649) | |||||||||
| Dividends and distributions of cumulative earnings received | (1,668) | (1,815) | |||||||||
| Equity in net income of affiliates | 1,675 | 1,791 | |||||||||
| Impairments | (450) | — | |||||||||
| Currency translation adjustments | 61 | 25 | |||||||||
| Other adjustments | 14 | 10 | |||||||||
| End of year | $ | 1,251 | $ | 3,533 | |||||||
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
NOTE 11. DEBT
Long-term debt of AT&T and its subsidiaries, including interest rates and maturities, is summarized as follows at December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes and debentures | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates1 | Maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00% | – | 2.99% | 2023 | – | 2033 | $ | 24,560 | $ | 24,603 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.00% | – | 4.99% | 2023 | – | 2061 | 87,855 | 91,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.00% | – | 6.99% | 2023 | – | 2095 | 27,286 | 20,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7.00% | – | 12.00% | 2023 | – | 2097 | 3,639 | 4,884 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit agreement borrowings | — | 2,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of interest rate swaps recorded in debt | 7 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 143,347 | 143,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized (discount) premium – net | (9,509) | (9,650) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized issuance costs | (436) | (427) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total notes and debentures | 133,402 | 133,207 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 1,838 | 1,817 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt, including current maturities | 135,240 | 135,024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | (7,386) | (6,601) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | $ | 127,854 | $ | 128,423 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1Foreign debt includes the impact from hedges, when applicable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We had outstanding Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, and Australian dollar denominated debt of approximately $35,192 and $35,525 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The weighted-average interest rate of our long-term debt portfolio, including credit agreement borrowings and the impact of derivatives, was approximately 4.2% as of December 31, 2023 and 4.1% as of December 31, 2022.
Debt maturing within one year consisted of the following at December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 7,386 | $ | 6,601 | |||||||
| Commercial paper | 2,091 | 866 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 9,477 | $ | 7,467 | |||||||
The weighted average interest rate on our outstanding short-term borrowings was approximately 6.0% as of December 31, 2023 and 4.8% as of December 31, 2022.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Financing Activities
During 2023, we received net proceeds of $10,004 on the issuance of $10,061 in long-term debt and proceeds of $750 on the issuance of credit agreement borrowings in various markets, with an average weighted maturity of approximately 6.3 years and a weighted average interest rate of 5.2%. We repaid $12,458 of long-term debt and credit agreement borrowings with a weighted average interest rate of 5.3%. Our debt activity during 2023 primarily consisted of the following:
| First Quarter | Second Quarter | Third Quarter | Fourth Quarter | Full Year 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net commercial paper borrowings | $ | 2,341 | $ | 1,284 | $ | (112) | $ | (2,436) | $ | 1,077 | |||||||
Issuance of notes and debentures: | |||||||||||||||||
USD notes | $ | 1,747 | $ | 2,730 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,477 | |||||||
EUR notes | 1,319 | 3,537 | — | — | 4,856 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 1,050 | — | — | 371 | 1,421 | ||||||||||||
Debt issuances | $ | 4,116 | $ | 6,267 | $ | — | $ | 371 | $ | 10,754 | |||||||
| Repayments: | |||||||||||||||||
| Private financing | $ | — | $ | (750) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (750) | |||||||
| Repayment of other short-term borrowings | $ | — | $ | (750) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (750) | |||||||
USD notes | $ | (376) | $ | (750) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (1,126) | |||||||
EUR notes | (1,626) | (473) | (3,503) | — | (5,602) | ||||||||||||
AUD notes | — | — | (450) | — | (450) | ||||||||||||
2025 Term Loan | (2,500) | — | — | — | (2,500) | ||||||||||||
| Other | (1,443) | (441) | (327) | (155) | (2,366) | ||||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | $ | (5,945) | $ | (1,664) | $ | (4,280) | $ | (155) | $ | (12,044) | |||||||
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we were in compliance with all covenants and conditions of instruments governing our debt. Substantially all of our outstanding long-term debt is unsecured. Maturities of outstanding long-term notes and debentures, as of December 31, 2023, and the corresponding weighted-average interest rate scheduled for repayment are as follows:
Credit Facilities
General
In November 2022, we entered into and drew on a $2,500 term loan agreement due February 16, 2025 (2025 Term Loan), with Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as agent. On March 30, 2023, the $2,500 Term Loan was paid off and terminated.
In March 2021, we entered into and drew on a $2,000 term loan credit agreement (BAML Bilateral Term Loan) consisting of (i) a $1,000 facility (BAML Tranche A Facility), and (ii) a $1,000 facility (BAML Tranche B Facility), with Bank of America, N.A., as agent. On April 13, 2022, the BAML Bilateral Term Loan was paid off and terminated.
In January 2021, we entered into a $14,700 Term Loan Credit Agreement (2021 Syndicated Term Loan), with Bank of America, N.A., as agent. In March 2021, we borrowed $7,350 under the 2021 Syndicated Term Loan and the remaining $7,350 of lenders’ commitments was terminated. On April 13, 2022, the 2021 Syndicated Term Loan was paid off and terminated.
68
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Revolving Credit Agreement
We currently have a $12,000 revolving credit agreement that terminates on November 18, 2028 (Revolving Credit Agreement), for which we extended the termination date, pursuant to the terms of the agreement, by one year in November 2023. No amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
Our Revolving Credit Agreement contains covenants that are customary for an issuer with investment grade senior debt credit rating as well as a net debt-to-EBITDA financial ratio covenant requiring AT&T to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of not more than 3.75-to-1.
The events of default are customary for agreements of this type and such events would result in the acceleration of, or would permit the lenders to accelerate, as applicable, required payments and would increase each agreement’s relevant Applicable Margin by 2.00% per annum.
The obligations of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement to provide advances will terminate on November 18, 2028, unless the commitments are terminated in whole prior to that date. All advances must be repaid no later than the date on which lenders are no longer obligated to make any advances under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The Revolving Credit Agreement provides that we and lenders representing more than 50% of the facility amount may agree to extend their commitments under the credit agreement for one additional one-year periods beyond the initial termination date. We have the right to terminate, in whole or in part, amounts committed by the lenders under the credit agreement in excess of any outstanding advances; however, any such terminated commitments may not be reinstated.
Advances under the Revolving Credit Agreement would bear interest, at our option, either:
•at a variable annual rate equal to: (1) the highest of (but not less than zero) (a) the rate of interest announced publicly by Citibank in New York, New York, from time to time, as Citibank’s base rate, (b) 0.5% per annum above the federal funds rate, and (c) the forward-looking term rate based on the secured overnight financing rate (Term SOFR) for a period of one month plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% plus 1.00%, plus (2) an applicable margin, as set forth in the credit agreement (the “Applicable Margin for Base Advances”); or
•at a rate equal to: (i) Term SOFR for a period of one, three or six months, as applicable, plus (ii) a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% plus (iii) an applicable margin, as set forth in the Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Applicable Margin for Benchmark Rate Advances”).
We pay a facility fee of 0.060%, 0.070%, 0.080% or 0.100% per annum of the amount of the lender commitments, depending on AT&T’s credit rating.
NOTE 12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURE
The Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” provides a three-tiered fair value hierarchy based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs.
The level of an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
The valuation methodologies described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of future net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. We believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants. The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. There have been no changes in the methodologies used since December 31, 2022.
69
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Long-Term Debt and Other Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, including current maturities, and other financial instruments, are summarized as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Notes and debentures1 | $ | 133,402 | $ | 128,474 | $ | 133,207 | $ | 122,524 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial paper | 2,091 | 2,091 | 866 | 866 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investment securities2 | 2,836 | 2,836 | 2,692 | 2,692 | |||||||||||||||||||
1Includes credit agreement borrowings. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The carrying amount of debt with an original maturity of less than one year approximates fair value. The fair value measurements used for notes and debentures are considered Level 2 and are determined using various methods, including quoted prices for identical or similar securities in both active and inactive markets.
Following is the fair value leveling for investment securities that are measured at fair value and derivatives as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Derivatives designated as hedging instruments are reflected as “Prepaid and other current assets,” “Other Assets,” “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities,” and “Other noncurrent liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic equities | $ | 1,002 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,002 | |||||||||||||||
| International equities | 215 | — | — | 215 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income equities | 209 | — | — | 209 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-Sale Debt Securities | — | 1,228 | — | 1,228 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | — | 424 | — | 424 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | — | (2) | — | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | — | (3,601) | — | (3,601) | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic equities | $ | 995 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 995 | |||||||||||||||
| International equities | 198 | — | — | 198 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income equities | 189 | — | — | 189 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-Sale Debt Securities | — | 1,132 | — | 1,132 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | — | 28 | — | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | — | (6,010) | — | (6,010) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | (23) | — | (23) | |||||||||||||||||||
Investment Securities
Our investment securities include both equity and debt securities that are measured at fair value, as well as equity securities without readily determinable fair values. A substantial portion of the fair values of our investment securities is estimated based on quoted market prices. Investments in equity securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at cost, less any impairment, and adjusted for changes resulting from observable, orderly transactions for identical or similar securities.
70
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Investments in debt securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows.
The components comprising total gains and losses in the period on equity securities are as follows:
| For the years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Total gains (losses) recognized on equity securities | $ | 257 | $ | (309) | $ | 293 | |||||||||||
| Gains (Losses) recognized on equity securities sold | 89 | (80) | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) recognized on equity securities held at end of period | $ | 168 | $ | (229) | $ | 298 | |||||||||||
At December 31, 2023, available-for-sale debt securities totaling $1,228 have maturities as follows - less than one year: $80; one to three years: $178; three to five years: $156; five or more years: $814.
Our cash equivalents (money market securities), short-term investments (certificate and time deposits) and nonrefundable customer deposits are recorded at amortized cost, and the respective carrying amounts approximate fair values. Short-term investments and nonrefundable customer deposits are recorded in “Prepaid and other current assets” and our investment securities are recorded in “Other Assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We enter into derivative transactions to manage certain market risks, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. This includes the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, foreign exchange forward contracts and combined interest rate foreign exchange contracts (cross-currency swaps). We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We record derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value that is derived from observable market data, including yield curves and foreign exchange rates (all of our derivatives are Level 2). Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are presented in the same category on the consolidated statements of cash flows as the item being hedged.
Fair Value Hedging Periodically, we enter into and designate fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps as fair value hedges. The purpose of these swaps is to manage interest rate risk by managing our mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt. These swaps involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts for floating interest rate payments over the life of the swaps without exchange of the underlying principal amount.
We also designate most of our cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange contracts as fair value hedges. The purpose of these contracts is to hedge foreign currency risk associated with changes in spot rates on foreign denominated debt. For cross-currency hedges, we have elected to exclude the change in fair value of the swap related to both time value and cross-currency basis spread from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. For foreign exchange contracts, we have elected to exclude the change in fair value of forward points from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
Unrealized and realized gains or losses from fair value hedges impact the same category on the consolidated statements of income as the item being hedged, including the earnings impact of excluded components. In instances where we have elected to exclude components from the assessment of hedge effectiveness related to fair value hedges, unrealized gains or losses on such excluded components are recorded as a component of accumulated OCI and recognized into earnings over the life of the hedging instrument. Unrealized gains on derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recorded at fair value as assets, and unrealized losses are recorded at fair market value as liabilities. Except for excluded components, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges are offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities through earnings. In the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, no ineffectiveness was measured on fair value hedges.
Cash Flow Hedging We designate some of our cross-currency swaps as cash flow hedges to hedge our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to foreign currency risk and interest rate risk generated from our foreign-denominated debt. These agreements include initial and final exchanges of principal from fixed foreign denominated amounts to fixed U.S. dollar denominated amounts, to be exchanged at a specified rate that is usually determined by the market spot rate upon issuance. They also include an interest rate swap of a fixed or floating foreign denominated interest rate to a fixed U.S. dollar denominated interest rate.
On September 30, 2022, we de-designated most of our cross-currency swaps from cash flow hedges and re-designated these swaps as fair value hedges. The amount remaining in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges on the de-designation date was $1,857. The amount will be reclassified to earnings when the hedged item is recognized in earnings or
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
when it becomes probable that the forecasted transactions will not occur. The election of fair value hedge designation for cross-currency swaps does not have an impact on our financial results.
Unrealized gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as assets, and unrealized losses are recorded at fair value as liabilities. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are reported as a component of accumulated OCI and are reclassified into the consolidated statements of income in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings.
Periodically, we enter into and designate interest rate locks to partially hedge the risk of changes in interest payments attributable to increases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. We designate our interest rate locks as cash flow hedges. Gains and losses when we settle our interest rate locks are amortized into income over the life of the related debt. Over the next 12 months, we expect to reclassify $59 from accumulated OCI to “Interest expense” due to the amortization of net losses on historical interest rate locks.
Collateral and Credit-Risk Contingency We have entered into agreements with our derivative counterparties establishing collateral thresholds based on respective credit ratings and netting agreements. At December 31, 2023, we had posted collateral of $670 (a deposit asset) and held collateral of $5 (a receipt liability). Under the agreements, if AT&T’s credit rating had been downgraded two ratings levels by Fitch Ratings, one level by S&P and one level by Moody’s, before the final collateral exchange in December, we would have been required to post additional collateral of $53. If AT&T’s credit rating had been downgraded three ratings levels by Fitch Ratings, two levels by S&P, and two levels by Moody’s, we would have been required to post additional collateral of $3,113. At December 31, 2022, we had posted collateral of $886 (a deposit asset) and held collateral of $0 (a receipt liability). We do not offset the fair value of collateral, whether the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) exists, against the fair value of the derivative instruments.
Following are the notional amounts of our outstanding derivative positions at December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | $ | 1,750 | $ | — | |||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | 38,006 | 38,213 | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | 617 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 39,756 | $ | 38,830 | |||||||
Following are the related hedged items affecting our financial position and performance:
Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Hedging Relationships | |||||||||||||||||
| For the years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps (“Interest expense”): | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps | $ | (6) | $ | (3) | $ | (4) | |||||||||||
Gain (loss) on long-term debt | 6 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps: | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on cross-currency swaps | 1,121 | 2,195 | (91) | ||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on long-term debt | (1,121) | (2,195) | 91 | ||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI | 1,126 | 297 | (17) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts: | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts | 12 | (12) | — | ||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on long-term debt | (12) | 12 | — | ||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI | 12 | (12) | — | ||||||||||||||
72
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
In addition, the net swap settlements that accrued and settled in the periods above were offset against “Interest expense.”
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships | |||||||||||||||||
| For the years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps: | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI | $ | 12 | $ | (1,119) | $ | (873) | |||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts: | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI | — | 3 | (17) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) – net reclassified from accumulated OCI into income | — | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate locks: | |||||||||||||||||
Interest income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income | (59) | (65) | (92) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income | — | (45) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution of WarnerMedia | — | (12) | — | ||||||||||||||
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, impairment indicators may subject goodwill and long-lived assets to nonrecurring fair value measurements. The implied fair values of the Business Wireline, Consumer Wireline and Mexico reporting units were estimated using both the discounted cash flow as well as market multiple approaches (see Note 9). The inputs to these models are considered Level 3.
NOTE 13. INCOME TAXES
Significant components of our deferred tax liabilities (assets) are as follows at December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 37,931 | $ | 36,570 | |||||||
| Licenses and nonamortizable intangibles | 20,049 | 19,339 | |||||||||
Lease right-of-use assets | 5,100 | 5,322 | |||||||||
| Lease liabilities | (5,146) | (5,417) | |||||||||
| Employee benefits | (2,970) | (2,251) | |||||||||
| Deferred fulfillment costs | 1,941 | 1,989 | |||||||||
| Equity in partnership | 2,943 | 3,284 | |||||||||
| Net operating loss and other carryforwards | (6,484) | (5,817) | |||||||||
| Other – net | 563 | (248) | |||||||||
| Subtotal | 53,927 | 52,771 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax assets valuation allowance | 4,656 | 4,175 | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | 58,583 | $ | 56,946 | |||||||
| Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities | $ | 58,666 | $ | 57,032 | |||||||
| Less: Noncurrent deferred tax assets | (83) | (86) | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | 58,583 | $ | 56,946 | |||||||
At December 31, 2023, we had combined net operating and capital loss carryforwards (tax effected) for federal income tax purposes of $824, state of $774 and foreign of $2,819, expiring through 2043. Additionally, we had federal credit carryforwards of $485 and state credit carryforwards of $1,582, expiring primarily through 2043.
We recognize a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Our valuation allowances at December 31, 2023 and 2022 related primarily to state and foreign net operating losses and state credit carryforwards.
We consider post-1986 unremitted foreign earnings subjected to the one-time transition tax not to be indefinitely reinvested as such earnings can be repatriated without any significant incremental tax costs. We consider other types of unremitted foreign
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been recorded on temporary differences related to investments in certain foreign subsidiaries as such differences are considered indefinitely reinvested. The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability does not have a material impact on the financial statements.
We recognize the financial statement effects of a tax return position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will ultimately be sustained. For tax positions that meet this recognition threshold, we apply our judgment, taking into account applicable tax laws, our experience in managing tax audits and relevant GAAP, to determine the amount of tax benefits to recognize in our financial statements. For each position, the difference between the benefit realized on our tax return and the benefit reflected in our financial statements is recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as an unrecognized tax benefit (UTB). We update our UTBs at each financial statement date to reflect the impacts of audit settlements and other resolutions of audit issues, the expiration of statutes of limitation, developments in tax law and ongoing discussions with taxing authorities. A reconciliation of the change in our UTB balance from January 1 to December 31 for 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
| Federal, State and Foreign Tax | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 9,657 | $ | 8,954 | |||||||
| Increases for tax positions related to the current year | 1,026 | 1,389 | |||||||||
| Increases for tax positions related to prior years | 448 | 577 | |||||||||
| Decreases for tax positions related to prior years | (212) | (1,079) | |||||||||
| Lapse of statute of limitations | (16) | (2) | |||||||||
| Settlements | 1,021 | (182) | |||||||||
| Balance at end of year | 11,924 | 9,657 | |||||||||
| Accrued interest and penalties | 1,785 | 1,930 | |||||||||
| Gross unrecognized income tax benefits | 13,709 | 11,587 | |||||||||
| Less: Deferred federal and state income tax benefits | (687) | (723) | |||||||||
| Less: Tax attributable to timing items included above | (6,438) | (4,640) | |||||||||
Total UTB that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of the end of the year | $ | 6,584 | $ | 6,224 | |||||||
Periodically we make deposits to taxing jurisdictions which reduce our UTB balance but are not included in the reconciliation above. The amount of deposits that reduced our UTB balance was $2,361 at December 31, 2023 and $1,767 at December 31, 2022. Current tax assets on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 were $2,079.
Accrued interest and penalties included in UTBs were $1,785 as of December 31, 2023 and $1,930 as of December 31, 2022. We record interest and penalties related to federal, state and foreign UTBs in income tax expense. The net interest and penalty expense (benefit) included in income tax expense was $324 for 2023, $(86) for 2022 and $(129) for 2021.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. As a large taxpayer, our income tax returns are regularly audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other taxing authorities.
The IRS has completed field examinations of our tax returns through 2015. All audit periods prior to 2006 are closed for federal examination purposes and we have effectively resolved all outstanding audit issues for years through 2010 with the IRS Appeals Division. Those years will be closed as the final paperwork is processed in the coming months.
While we do not expect material changes, we are generally unable to estimate the range of impacts on the balance of the remaining uncertain tax positions or the impact on the effective tax rate from the resolution of these issues until each year is closed; and it is possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to our uncertain tax positions could increase or decrease within the next 12 months.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The components of income tax (benefit) expense are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Federal: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current | $ | 2,280 | $ | 579 | $ | (2,400) | |||||||||||
| Deferred | 2,250 | 2,206 | 6,872 | ||||||||||||||
| 4,530 | 2,785 | 4,472 | |||||||||||||||
| State and local: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current | 423 | 21 | 289 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred | (832) | 912 | 648 | ||||||||||||||
| (409) | 933 | 937 | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current | 66 | 106 | (66) | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred | 38 | (44) | 52 | ||||||||||||||
| 104 | 62 | (14) | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,225 | $ | 3,780 | $ | 5,395 | |||||||||||
“Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes” in the consolidated statements of income included the following components for the years ended December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 20,506 | $ | (1,480) | $ | 29,678 | |||||||||||
| Foreign income (loss) before income taxes | (658) | (1,614) | (507) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 19,848 | $ | (3,094) | $ | 29,171 | |||||||||||
A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to income from continuing operations before income taxes is as follows:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted, which allows for a Net Operating Loss (NOL) generated in 2020 to be carried back to a year with a federal rate of 35%. During 2021, we recorded a $471 tax benefit for the rate impact of the 2020 NOL carryback adjusted for the domestic manufacturing deduction limitation in the carryback year and applicable unrecognized tax benefits.
75
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
NOTE 14. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
We offer noncontributory pension programs covering the majority of domestic nonmanagement employees in our Communications business. Nonmanagement employees’ pension benefits are generally calculated using one of two formulas: a flat dollar amount applied to years of service according to job classification or a cash balance plan with negotiated annual pension band credits as well as interest credits. Most employees can elect to receive their pension benefits in either a lump sum payment or an annuity.
Pension programs covering U.S. management employees are closed to new entrants. These programs continue to provide benefits to participants that were generally hired before January 1, 2015, who receive benefits under either cash balance pension programs that include annual or monthly credits based on salary as well as interest credits, or a traditional pension formula (i.e., a stated percentage of employees’ adjusted career income).
We also provide a variety of medical, dental and life insurance benefits to certain retired employees under various plans and accrue actuarially determined postretirement benefit costs as active employees earn these benefits.
On April 26, 2023, AT&T and State Street Global Advisors Trust Company, as independent fiduciary of the AT&T Pension Benefit Plan (Plan), entered into a commitment agreement with subsidiaries of Athene Holding Ltd. (Athene) under which AT&T agreed to purchase nonparticipating single premium group annuity contracts that would transfer to Athene $8,067 of the Plan’s defined benefit pension obligations related to certain retirees, participants and beneficiaries under the Plan.
The purchase of the group annuity contracts closed on May 3, 2023, covering approximately 96,000 AT&T participants and beneficiaries (Transferred Participants). Under the group annuity contracts, Athene, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Athene Annuity and Life Company and Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York, made an irrevocable commitment, and is solely responsible, to pay the pension benefits of each Transferred Participant beginning with their August 2023 pension payments. The transaction does not change the amount of pension benefits payable to the Transferred Participants.
The purchase of the group annuity contracts was funded directly by assets of the Plan via the pension trust underlying the Plan and required no cash or asset contributions by AT&T. We transferred $8,067 of pension benefit obligation and related plan assets upon close of the transaction and recognized a pre-tax pension settlement gain of $363. The funded status of the Plan did not materially change due to this transaction.
This transaction with Athene was considered a settlement for accounting purposes and required us to remeasure our pension plan assets and obligations at quarter-end for the second and third quarters of 2023.
During the third quarter of 2022, we committed to, and reflected in our results, plan changes impacting postretirement health and welfare benefits. This plan change aligns our benefit plans to market level.
Obligations and Funded Status
For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, the actuarial present value, as of our December 31 measurement date, of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered to that date. The amount of benefit to be paid depends on a number of future events incorporated into the pension benefit formula, including estimates of the average life of employees and their beneficiaries and average years of service rendered. It is measured based on assumptions concerning future interest rates and future employee compensation levels as applicable.
For postretirement benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, the actuarial present value as of the measurement date of all future benefits attributed under the terms of the postretirement benefit plans to employee service.
76
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table presents the change in the projected benefit obligation for the years ended December 31:
| Pension Benefits | Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 42,828 | $ | 57,212 | $ | 7,280 | $ | 12,552 | |||||||||||||||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | 477 | 617 | 23 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 1,876 | 1,747 | 340 | 277 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amendments | — | — | (42) | (2,370) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss | 976 | (10,894) | 278 | (1,919) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits paid, including settlements | (4,863) | (5,854) | (1,186) | (1,292) | |||||||||||||||||||
Group annuity contract transfer | (8,067) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 33,227 | $ | 42,828 | $ | 6,693 | $ | 7,280 | |||||||||||||||
The following table presents the change in the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31 and the plans’ funded status at December 31:
Amounts recognized on our consolidated balance sheets at December 31 are listed below:
The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans represents the actuarial present value of benefits based on employee service and compensation as of a certain date and does not include an assumption about future compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was $32,481 at December 31, 2023, and $42,137 at December 31, 2022.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Periodic Benefit Costs
The service cost component of net periodic pension cost (credit) is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income while the remaining components are recorded in “Other income (expense) – net.” Our combined net pension and postretirement cost (credit) recognized in our consolidated statements of income was $(1,017), $(4,789) and $(7,652) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit):
| Pension Benefits | Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost – benefits earned during the period | $ | 477 | $ | 617 | $ | 957 | $ | 23 | $ | 32 | $ | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 1,876 | 1,747 | 1,276 | 340 | 277 | 210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on assets | (2,533) | (3,107) | (3,513) | (130) | (112) | (151) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service credit | (133) | (133) | (144) | (2,472) | (2,558) | (2,537) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) before remeasurement | (313) | (876) | (1,424) | (2,239) | (2,361) | (2,433) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss | 1,717 | (115) | (3,461) | 181 | (1,437) | (334) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlement (gain) loss | (363) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net pension and postretirement cost (credit) | $ | 1,041 | $ | (991) | $ | (4,885) | $ | (2,058) | $ | (3,798) | $ | (2,767) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
The following table presents the after-tax changes in benefit obligations recognized in OCI and the after-tax prior service credits that were amortized from OCI into net periodic benefit costs:
| Pension Benefits | Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 316 | $ | 416 | $ | 525 | $ | 6,354 | $ | 6,496 | $ | 8,408 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior service (cost) credit | — | — | — | 32 | 1,786 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service credit | (100) | (100) | (109) | (1,863) | (1,928) | (1,912) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss | (100) | (100) | (109) | (1,831) | (142) | (1,912) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | $ | 216 | $ | 316 | $ | 416 | $ | 4,523 | $ | 6,354 | $ | 6,496 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Assumptions
In determining the projected benefit obligation and the net pension and postretirement benefit cost, we used the following significant weighted-average assumptions:
| Pension Benefits | Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate for determining benefit obligation at December 31 | 5.00 | % | 5.20 | % | 3.00 | % | 5.00 | % | 5.20 | % | 2.80 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate in effect for determining service cost1 | 5.40 | % | 4.40 | % | 3.30 | % | 5.20 | % | 4.00 | % | 2.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate in effect for determining interest cost1 | 5.30 | % | 3.90 | % | 2.30 | % | 5.10 | % | 3.20 | % | 1.60 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average interest credit rate for cash balance pension programs2 | 4.20 | % | 4.10 | % | 3.20 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term rate of return on plan assets | 7.50 | % | 6.75 | % | 6.75 | % | 6.50 | % | 4.50 | % | 4.50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Composite rate of compensation increase for determining benefit obligation | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Composite rate of compensation increase for determining net cost (credit) | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1Weighted-average discount rates shown for years with interim remeasurements: 2023, 2022 and 2021 for pension benefits and 2022 for postretirement benefits. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2Weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance pension programs relate only to the cash balance portion of total pension benefits. A 0.50% increase in the weighted-average interest crediting rate would increase the pension benefit obligation by $135. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We recognize gains and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets and obligations immediately in “Other income (expense) – net” in our consolidated statements of income. These gains and losses are generally measured annually as of December 31 and accordingly, will normally be recorded during the fourth quarter, unless an earlier remeasurement is required. Should actual experience differ from actuarial assumptions, the projected pension benefit obligation and net pension cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and postretirement benefit cost would be affected in future years.
Discount Rate Our assumed weighted-average discount rates for both pension and postretirement benefits of 5.00%, at December 31, 2023, reflect the hypothetical rate at which the projected benefit obligation could be effectively settled or paid out to participants. We determined our discount rate based on a range of factors, including a yield curve composed of the rates of return on several hundred high-quality, fixed income corporate bonds available at the measurement date and corresponding to the related expected durations of future cash outflows. These bonds had an average rating of at least Aa3 or AA- by the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, denominated in U.S. dollars, and generally not callable, convertible or index linked. For the year ended December 31, 2023, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, we decreased our pension discount rate by 0.20%, resulting in an increase in our pension plan benefit obligation of $916 and decreased our postretirement discount rate by 0.20%, resulting in an increase in our postretirement benefit obligation of $110. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we increased our pension discount rate by 2.20%, resulting in a decrease in our pension plan benefit obligation of $11,738 and increased our postretirement discount rate by 2.40%, resulting in a decrease in our postretirement benefit obligation of $2,102.
We utilize a full yield curve approach in the estimation of the service and interest components of net periodic benefit costs for pension and other postretirement benefits. Under this approach, we apply discounting using individual spot rates from a yield curve composed of the rates of return on several hundred high-quality, fixed income corporate bonds available at the measurement date. These spot rates align to each of the projected benefit obligations and service cost cash flows. The service cost component relates to the active participants in the plan, so the relevant cash flows on which to apply the yield curve are considerably longer in duration on average than the total projected benefit obligation cash flows, which also include benefit payments to retirees. Interest cost is computed by multiplying each spot rate by the corresponding discounted projected benefit obligation cash flows. The full yield curve approach reduces any actuarial gains and losses based upon interest rate expectations (e.g., built-in gains in interest cost in an upward sloping yield curve scenario), or gains and losses merely resulting from the timing and magnitude of cash outflows associated with our benefit obligations. Neither the annual measurement of our total benefit obligations nor annual net benefit cost is affected by the full yield curve approach.
79
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return In 2024, our expected long-term rate of return is 7.75% on pension plan assets and 4.00% on postretirement plan assets, an increase of 0.25% for pension plan assets and a decrease of 2.50% for postretirement plan assets. This update to our asset return assumptions was due to economic forecasts and changes in the asset mix. Our long-term rates of return reflect the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested, or to be invested, to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligations. In setting the long-term assumed rate of return, management considers capital markets’ future expectations, the asset mix of the plans’ investment and average historical asset return. Actual long-term returns can, in relatively stable markets, also serve as a factor in determining future expectations. We consider many factors that include, but are not limited to, historical returns on plan assets, current market information on long-term returns (e.g., long-term bond rates) and current and target asset allocations between asset categories. The target asset allocation is determined based on consultations with external investment advisers. If all other factors were to remain unchanged, we expect that a 0.50% decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would cause 2024 combined pension and postretirement cost to increase $150. However, any differences in the rate and actual returns will be included with the actuarial gain or loss recorded in the fourth quarter when our plans are remeasured.
Composite Rate of Compensation Increase Our expected composite rate of compensation increase cost of 3.00% in 2023 and 2022 reflects the long-term average rate of salary increases.
Healthcare Cost Trend Our healthcare cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Based on our assessment of expectations of healthcare industry inflation, our 2024 assumed annual healthcare prescription drug cost trend and medical cost trend for eligible participants will remain at an annual and ultimate trend rate of 4.50%. For 2023, our assumed annual healthcare prescription drug cost trend and medical cost trend for eligible participants increased from an annual and ultimate trend rate of 4.25% to an annual and ultimate trend rate of 4.50%. This change in assumption increased our obligation by $19.
Plan Assets
Plan assets consist primarily of private and public equity, government and corporate bonds, and real assets (real estate and natural resources). The asset allocations of the pension plans are maintained to meet ERISA requirements. Any plan contributions, as determined by ERISA regulations, are made to a pension trust for the benefit of plan participants. We do not have significant ERISA required contributions to our pension plans for 2024.
We maintain VEBA trusts to partially fund postretirement benefits; however, there are no ERISA or regulatory requirements that these postretirement benefit plans be funded annually. We made discretionary contributions of $120 in December 2022 to our postretirement plan.
The principal investment objectives are to ensure the availability of funds to pay pension and postretirement benefits as they become due under a broad range of future economic scenarios, maximize long-term investment return with an acceptable level of risk based on our pension and postretirement obligations, and diversify broadly across and within the capital markets to insulate asset values against adverse experience in any one market. Each asset class has broadly diversified characteristics. Substantial biases toward any particular investing style or type of security are sought to be avoided by managing the aggregation of all accounts with portfolio benchmarks. Asset and benefit obligation forecasting studies are conducted periodically, generally every two to three years, or when significant changes have occurred in market conditions, benefits, participant demographics or funded status. Decisions regarding investment policy are made with an understanding of the effect of asset allocation on funded status, future contributions and projected expenses.
The plans’ weighted-average asset targets and actual allocations as a percentage of plan assets, including the notional exposure of future contracts by asset categories at December 31 are as follows:
| Pension Assets | Postretirement (VEBA) Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Target | 2023 | 2022 | Target | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | 2 | % | - | 22 | % | 10 | % | 7 | % | 11 | % | - | 21 | % | 16 | % | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | — | % | - | 19 | % | 7 | 4 | 6 | % | - | 16 | % | 11 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities | 34 | % | - | 54 | % | 47 | 45 | 3 | % | - | 13 | % | 8 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real assets | 9 | % | - | 29 | % | 16 | 16 | — | % | - | 6 | % | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private equity | 6 | % | - | 26 | % | 20 | 14 | — | % | - | 6 | % | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred interests | — | % | - | — | % | — | 13 | — | % | - | — | % | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | % | - | 5 | % | — | 1 | 59 | % | - | 69 | % | 63 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
80
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Prior to April 2023, the pension trust held preferred equity interests in AT&T Mobility II LLC (Mobility II), the primary holding company for our wireless business. The preferred equity interests were valued at $5,427 as of December 31, 2022. All outstanding Mobility preferred interests were repurchased in April 2023. (See Note 16)
At December 31, 2023, AT&T securities represented less than 1% of assets held by our pension trust. The VEBA trusts do not hold AT&T securities.
Investment Valuation
Investments are stated at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability at the measurement date.
Investments in securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the final business day of the year. If no sale was reported on that date, they are valued at the last reported bid price. Investments in securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. Shares of registered investment companies are valued based on quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of shares held at year-end.
Other commingled investment entities are valued at quoted redemption values that represent the net asset values of units held at year-end which management has determined approximates fair value.
Real estate and natural resource direct investments are valued at amounts based upon appraisal reports. Fixed income securities valuation is based upon observable prices for comparable assets, broker/dealer quotes (spreads or prices), or a pricing matrix that derives spreads for each bond based on external market data, including the current credit rating for the bonds, credit spreads to Treasuries for each credit rating, sector add-ons or credits, issue-specific add-ons or credits as well as call or other options.
Prior to redemption, the preferred interests in Mobility II were valued by an independent fiduciary using an income approach.
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the basis of average cost. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.
Non-interest bearing cash and overdrafts are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Fair Value Measurements
See Note 12 for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
81
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension and postretirement assets and liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2023:
Pension Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing cash | $ | 102 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 102 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing cash | 5 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | — | 5 | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic equities | 2,146 | — | 2 | 2,148 | |||||||||||||||||||
| International equities | 1,085 | — | — | 1,085 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other investments | — | 7,584 | 1 | 7,585 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Government and municipal bonds | 1 | 4,856 | — | 4,857 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | — | 329 | — | 329 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate and real assets | — | — | 2,954 | 2,954 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities lending collateral | 719 | 985 | — | 1,704 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable for variation margin | 2 | — | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Assets at fair value | 4,060 | 13,759 | 2,957 | 20,776 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investments sold short and other liabilities at fair value | (147) | (1) | — | (148) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total plan net assets at fair value | $ | 3,913 | $ | 13,758 | $ | 2,957 | $ | 20,628 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets held at net asset value practical expedient | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,889 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,877 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,863 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets held at net asset value practical expedient | 11,629 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets (liabilities) 1 | (2,159) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Plan Net Assets | $ | 30,098 | |||||||||||||||||||||
1Other assets (liabilities) include amounts receivable, accounts payable and net adjustment for securities lending payable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension and postretirement assets and liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2022:
Pension Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing cash | $ | 158 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 158 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing cash | 5 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | — | 4 | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic equities | 2,312 | — | 2 | 2,314 | |||||||||||||||||||
| International equities | 1,251 | — | — | 1,251 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred interests | — | — | 5,427 | 5,427 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other investments | — | 9,366 | 1 | 9,367 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Government and municipal bonds | — | 5,450 | — | 5,450 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | — | 220 | — | 220 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate and real assets | — | — | 4,343 | 4,343 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities lending collateral | 1,137 | 1,407 | — | 2,544 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable for variation margin | 5 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Assets at fair value | 4,868 | 16,447 | 9,773 | 31,088 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investments sold short and other liabilities at fair value | (261) | (5) | — | (266) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total plan net assets at fair value | $ | 4,607 | $ | 16,442 | $ | 9,773 | $ | 30,822 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets held at net asset value practical expedient | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,907 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,045 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets held at net asset value practical expedient | 12,818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets (liabilities) 1 | (2,766) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Plan Net Assets | $ | 40,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||
1Other assets (liabilities) include amounts receivable, accounts payable and net adjustment for securities lending payable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our postretirement assets did not include significant investments in Level 3 assets, nor were there significant changes in fair value of those assets during the period. The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension assets:
| Equities | Fixed Income Funds | Real Estate and Real Assets | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | 5,429 | $ | 1 | $ | 4,343 | $ | 9,773 | |||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) | (639) | — | 569 | (70) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) | 643 | — | (1,270) | (627) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases | — | — | 128 | 128 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | (5,431) | — | (816) | (6,247) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | $ | 2,954 | $ | 2,957 | |||||||||||||||
| Equities | Fixed Income Funds | Real Estate and Real Assets | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $ | 5,569 | $ | 2 | $ | 3,318 | $ | 8,889 | |||||||||||||||
| Realized gains (losses) | 1 | — | 22 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) | (139) | — | 802 | 663 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers in | 1 | 1 | 20 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers out | — | (2) | (29) | (31) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases | — | — | 716 | 716 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | (3) | — | (506) | (509) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | 5,429 | $ | 1 | $ | 4,343 | $ | 9,773 | |||||||||||||||
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
Expected benefit payments are estimated using the same assumptions used in determining our benefit obligation at December 31, 2023. Because benefit payments will depend on future employment and compensation levels; average years employed; average life spans; and payment elections, among other factors, changes in any of these assumptions could significantly affect these expected amounts. The following table provides expected benefit payments under our pension and postretirement plans:
| Pension Benefits | Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | 3,185 | $ | 788 | |||||||
| 2025 | 2,907 | 664 | |||||||||
| 2026 | 2,841 | 622 | |||||||||
| 2027 | 2,826 | 588 | |||||||||
| 2028 | 2,803 | 564 | |||||||||
Years 2029 - 2033 | 13,340 | 2,252 | |||||||||
Supplemental Retirement Plans
We also provide certain senior- and middle-management employees with nonqualified, unfunded supplemental retirement and savings plans. While these plans are unfunded, we have assets in a designated non-bankruptcy remote trust that are independently managed and used to provide for certain of these benefits. These plans include supplemental pension benefits as well as compensation-deferral plans, some of which include a corresponding match by us based on a percentage of the compensation deferral. For our supplemental retirement plans, the projected benefit obligation was $1,437 and the net supplemental retirement pension cost was $87 at and for the year ended December 31, 2023. The projected benefit obligation was $1,544 and the net supplemental retirement pension credit was $234 at and for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We use the same significant assumptions for the composite rate of compensation increase in determining our projected benefit obligation and the net pension and postemployment benefit cost. Our discount rates of 4.90% at December 31, 2023 and 5.10% at December 31, 2022 were calculated using the same methodologies used in calculating the discount rates for our qualified pension and postretirement benefit plans.
Deferred compensation expense was $101 in 2023, $94 in 2022 and $171 in 2021.
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
Contributory Savings Plans
We maintain contributory savings plans that cover substantially all employees. Under the savings plans, we match in cash or company stock a stated percentage of eligible employee contributions, subject to a specified ceiling. There are no debt-financed shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plans, allocated or unallocated.
Our match of employee contributions to the savings plans is fulfilled with purchases of our stock on the open market or company cash. Benefit cost, which is based on the cost of shares or units allocated to participating employees’ accounts or the cash contributed to participant accounts, was $570, $611 and $614 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
NOTE 15. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
Under our various plans, senior and other management employees and nonemployee directors have received nonvested stock and stock units. The shares will vest over a period of to four years in accordance with the terms of those plans.
We grant performance stock units, which are nonvested stock units, based upon our stock price at the date of grant and award them in the form of AT&T common stock and cash at the end of a -year period, subject to the achievement of certain performance goals. We treat the cash settled portion of these awards as a liability. Effective with the 2021 plan year, for the majority of employees, performance shares were replaced with restricted stock units that do not have any performance conditions. These new restricted stock units vest ratably over a three-year period. We grant forfeitable restricted stock and stock units, which are valued at the market price of our common stock at the date of grant and predominantly vest over a - to -year period. We also grant other nonvested stock units and award them in cash at the end of a -year period, subject to the achievement of certain market-based conditions. As of December 31, 2023, we were authorized to issue up to approximately 123 million shares of common stock (in addition to shares that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options or upon vesting of performance stock units or other nonvested stock units) to officers, employees and directors pursuant to these various plans.
We account for our share-based payment arrangements based on the fair value of the awards on their respective grant date, which may affect our ability to fully realize the value shown on our consolidated balance sheets of deferred tax assets associated with compensation expense. We record a valuation allowance when our future taxable income is not expected to be sufficient to recover the asset. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the current stock price of our common shares will rise to levels sufficient to realize the entire tax benefit currently reflected on our consolidated balance sheets. However, to the extent we generate excess tax benefits (i.e., those additional tax benefits in excess of the deferred taxes associated with compensation expense previously recognized) the potential future impact on income would be reduced.
Our consolidated statements of income include the compensation cost recognized for those plans as operating expenses, as well as the associated tax benefits, which are reflected in the table below:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Performance stock units | $ | 79 | $ | 168 | $ | 248 | |||||||||||
| Restricted stock and stock units | 400 | 350 | 199 | ||||||||||||||
| Other nonvested stock units | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Stock options | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 479 | $ | 518 | $ | 447 | |||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | $ | 118 | $ | 127 | $ | 110 | |||||||||||
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
A summary of the status of our nonvested stock units as of December 31, 2023, and changes during the year then ended is presented as follows (shares in millions):
Nonvested Stock Units | Shares | Weighted-Average Grant- Date Fair Value | |||||||||
Nonvested at January 1, 2023 | 36 | $ | 22.07 | ||||||||
| Granted | 22 | 19.24 | |||||||||
| Vested | (27) | 22.05 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (3) | 20.05 | |||||||||
Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | 28 | $ | 20.05 | ||||||||
As of December 31, 2023, there was $445 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based payment arrangements granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.76 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the year was $592 for 2023, compared to $783 for 2022 and $608 for 2021.
It is our intent to satisfy share option exercises using our treasury stock. Cash received from stock option exercises was $1 for 2023, $2 for 2022 and $11 for 2021.
NOTE 16. STOCKHOLDERS’ AND MEZZANINE EQUITY
Authorized Shares We have authorized 14 billion common shares of AT&T stock and 10 million preferred shares of AT&T stock, each with a par value of $1.00 per share. Cumulative perpetual preferred shares consist of the following:
•Series A: 48 thousand shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 5.000%.
•Series B: 20 thousand shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, with a €100,000 per share liquidation preference, and an initial rate of 2.875%, subject to reset after May 1, 2025.
•Series C: 70 thousand shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference, and a dividend rate of 4.75%.
So long as the quarterly preferred dividends are declared and paid on a timely basis on each series of preferred shares, there are no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T common shares. The preferred shares are optionally redeemable by AT&T at the liquidation price on or after five years from the issuance date, or upon certain other contingent events.
Stock Repurchase Program From time to time, we repurchase shares of common stock for distribution through our employee benefit plans or in connection with certain acquisitions. In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved an authorization program to repurchase 300 million shares of common stock, of which approximately 144 million remain outstanding at December 31, 2023.
To implement these authorizations, we used open market repurchases, relying on Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, where feasible. We also used accelerated share repurchase agreements with large financial institutions to repurchase our stock. During 2023, there were no shares repurchased and during 2022, we repurchased approximately 34 million shares totaling $662 under the March 2014 authorization.
Dividend Declarations In December 2023 and December 2022, AT&T declared a quarterly preferred dividend of $36. In December 2023 and December 2022, AT&T declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.2775 per share of common stock.
Preferred Interests Issued by Subsidiaries We have issued cumulative perpetual preferred membership interests in certain subsidiaries. The preferred interests are entitled to cash distributions, subject to declaration.
Mobility II Preferred Interests
In 2018, we issued 320 million Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests in Mobility II (Mobility preferred interests), which paid cash distributions of 7% per annum, subject to declaration. So long as the distributions were declared and paid, the terms of the Mobility preferred interests did not impose any limitations on cash movements between
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
affiliates, or our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T shares. All outstanding Mobility preferred interests were repurchased as of April 2023, leaving no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2023.
Prior to repurchase, a holder of the Mobility preferred interests could put the interests to Mobility II, or Mobility II could have redeemed the interests upon a change in control of Mobility II or on or after September 9, 2022, with either option only allowed to be exercised during certain periods.
The price at which a put option or a redemption option could be exercised was the greater of (1) the market value of the interests as of the last date of the quarter preceding the date of the exercise of a put or redemption option and (2) the sum of (a) twenty-five dollars plus (b) any accrued and unpaid distributions. The redemption price was to be paid with cash, AT&T common stock, or a combination of cash and AT&T common stock, at Mobility II’s sole election. In no event was Mobility II required to deliver more than 250 million shares of AT&T common stock to settle put and redemption options.
On October 24, 2022, approximately 105 million Mobility preferred interests were put to AT&T by a third-party investor, for which we paid approximately $2,600 cash to redeem. On December 27, 2022, the AT&T pension trust provided written notice of its right to require us to purchase the remaining 213 million, or approximately $5,340, of Mobility preferred interests outstanding. The terms of the instruments limited the amount we were required to redeem in any 12-month period to approximately 107 million shares, or $2,670. With the certainty of redemption, the Mobility preferred interests were reclassified from equity to a liability at fair value, with approximately $2,670 recorded in current liabilities as “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities,” representing the amount required to be redeemed within one year, and $2,670 recorded in “Other noncurrent liabilities.” The liabilities associated with the Mobility preferred interests were considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Notes 12 and 14). The difference between the carrying value of the Mobility preferred interest, which represented fair value at contribution, and the fair value of the instrument upon settlement and/or balance sheet reclassification was recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 213 million Mobility preferred interests outstanding, which had a redemption value of approximately $5,340 and paid cash distributions of $373 per annum, subject to declaration. In April 2023, we accepted the December 2022 put option notice from the AT&T pension trust and repurchased the remaining 213 million Mobility preferred interest for a purchase price, including accrued and unpaid distributions, of $5,414.
Tower Holdings Preferred Interests
In 2019, we issued $6,000 nonconvertible cumulative preferred interests in a wireless subsidiary (Tower Holdings) that holds interests in various tower assets and have the right to receive approximately $6,000 if the purchase options from the tower companies are exercised.
The membership interests in Tower Holdings consist of (1) common interests, which are held by a consolidated subsidiary of AT&T, and (2) two series of preferred interests (collectively the “Tower preferred interests”). The September series (Tower Class A-1) of the preferred interests totals $1,500 and pays an initial preferred distribution of 5.0%, and the December series (Tower Class A-2) totals $4,500 and pays an initial preferred distribution of 4.75%. Distributions are paid quarterly, subject to declaration, and reset every five years. Any failure to declare or pay distributions on the Tower preferred interests would not impose any limitation on cash movements between affiliates, or our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T shares. We can call the Tower preferred interests at the issue price beginning five years from the issuance date or upon the receipt of proceeds from the sale of the underlying assets. The Tower preferred interests are included in “Noncontrolling interest” on the consolidated balance sheets.
The holders of the Tower preferred interests have the option to require redemption upon the occurrence of certain contingent events, such as the failure of AT&T to pay the preferred distribution for two or more periods or to meet certain other requirements, including a minimum credit rating. If notice is given upon such an event, all other holders of equal or more subordinate classes of membership interests in Tower Holdings are entitled to receive the same form of consideration payable to the holders of the preferred interests, resulting in a deemed liquidation for accounting purposes.
Telco LLC Preferred Interests
In September 2020, we issued $2,000 nonconvertible cumulative preferred interests (Telco Class A-1) out of a newly created limited liability company (Telco LLC) that was formed to hold telecommunication-related assets. In April 2023, we expanded our September 2020 transaction and issued an additional $5,250 of nonconvertible cumulative preferred interests (Telco Class A-2 and A-3). As of December 31, 2023, cumulative preferred interests in our Telco LLC totaled $7,250 (collectively the “Telco preferred interests”).
Members’ equity in Telco LLC consist of (1) member’s interests, which are held by a consolidated subsidiary of AT&T, (2) Telco Class A-1 preferred interests, which pay an initial preferred distribution of 4.25% annually, subject to declaration, and subject to reset every seven years, and (3) Telco Class A-2 and A-3 preferred interest which pay an initial preferred distribution
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
of 6.85% annually, subject to declaration, and subject to reset on November 1, 2027 and every seven years thereafter. Failure to pay distributions on the Telco preferred interests would not limit cash movements between affiliates, or our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T shares. We can call the Telco preferred interests at the issue price beginning seven years from the issuance date. The Telco preferred interests are included in “Noncontrolling interest” on the consolidated balance sheets.
The holders of the Telco preferred interests have the option to require redemption upon the occurrence of certain contingent events, such as the failure of Telco LLC to pay the preferred distribution for two or more periods or to meet certain other requirements, including a minimum credit rating. If notice is given, all other holders of equal or more subordinate classes of members’ equity are entitled to receive the same form of consideration payable to the holders of the preferred interests, resulting in a deemed liquidation for accounting purposes.
Mobility II Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
In June 2023, we issued two million Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests in Mobility II LLC (Mobility noncontrolling interests), which pay cash distributions of 6.8% per annum, subject to declaration. So long as the distributions are declared and paid, the terms of the Mobility noncontrolling interests will not impose any limitations on cash movements between affiliates, or our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T shares.
The Mobility noncontrolling interests are required to be initially recorded at fair value less issuance costs and will accrete to redemption value of $2,000 through “Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest.” The Mobility noncontrolling interests are considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures framework (see Note 12) and included in “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest” on the consolidated balance sheets.
A holder of the Mobility noncontrolling interests may put the interests to Mobility II on or after the earliest of certain events or each June 15 and December 15, beginning on June 15, 2028. Mobility II may redeem the interests on each March 15 and September 15, beginning on March 15, 2028. The price at which a put option or a redemption option can be exercised is the sum of (a) $1,000 per Mobility noncontrolling interest plus (b) any accrued and unpaid distributions. The redemption price must be paid in cash.
NOTE 17. SALES OF RECEIVABLES
We have agreements with various third-party financial institutions pertaining to the sales of certain types of our accounts receivable. The most significant of these programs consists of receivables arising from equipment installment plans, which are sold for cash and beneficial interests, such as deferred purchase price, when applicable. Under the terms of our agreement for this program, we continue to service the transferred receivables on behalf of the financial institutions.
The following table sets forth a summary of cash proceeds received, net of remittances paid, from sales of receivables for the years ended December 31:
The sales of receivables did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income or to “Total Assets” reported on our consolidated balance sheets. We reflect cash receipts on sold receivables as cash flows from operations in our consolidated statements of cash flows. In the event cash is received on the beneficial interests, those receipts are classified as cash flows from investing activities, when applicable.
88
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table sets forth a summary of the equipment installment receivables and accounts being serviced at December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Gross receivables: | $ | 3,714 | $ | 4,165 | |||||||
| Balance sheet classification | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Notes receivable | 1,695 | 1,789 | |||||||||
| Trade receivables | 548 | 522 | |||||||||
| Other Assets | |||||||||||
| Noncurrent notes and trade receivables | 1,471 | 1,854 | |||||||||
Outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets | $ | 12,027 | $ | 11,030 | |||||||
Cash proceeds received, net of remittances1 | 9,361 | 8,519 | |||||||||
1Represents amounts to which financial institutions remain entitled, excluding the beneficial interests. | |||||||||||
We offer our customers the option to purchase certain wireless devices in installments over a specified period of time and, in many cases, once certain conditions are met, they may be eligible to trade in the original equipment for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance paid or settled.
We maintain a program under which we transfer a portion of these receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiary in exchange for cash and beneficial interests. In the event a customer trades in a device prior to the end of the installment contract period, we agree to make a payment to the financial institutions equal to any outstanding remaining installment receivable balance. Accordingly, we record a guarantee obligation for this estimated amount at the time the receivables are transferred.
The following table sets forth a summary of equipment installment receivables sold under this program:
Beneficial interests and guarantee obligation are initially recorded at estimated fair value and subsequently adjusted for changes in present value of expected cash flows. The estimation of their fair values is based on remaining installment payments expected to be collected and the expected timing and value of device trade-ins. The estimated value of the device trade-ins considers prices offered to us by independent third parties and contemplates changes in value after the launch of a device model. The fair value measurements used for the beneficial interests and the guarantee obligation are considered Level 3 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework (see Note 12).
The following table presents the previously transferred equipment installment receivables, which we repurchased in exchange for the associated beneficial interests:
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our beneficial interests were $2,270 and $2,318, respectively, of which $1,296 and $1,278 are included in “Prepaid and other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder in “Other Assets.” The guarantee obligation at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $385 and $419, respectively, of which $111 and $73 are included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder
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| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
in “Other noncurrent liabilities.” Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of selling these equipment installment receivables is limited to the total amount of our beneficial interests and guarantee obligation.
NOTE 18. TOWER TRANSACTION
In December 2013, we closed our transaction with Crown Castle International Corp. (Crown Castle) in which Crown Castle gained the exclusive rights to lease and operate 9,048 wireless towers and purchased 627 of our wireless towers for $4,827 in cash. The leases have various terms with an average length of approximately 28 years. As the leases expire, Crown Castle will have fixed price purchase options for these towers totaling approximately $4,200, based on their estimated fair market values at the end of the lease terms. We sublease space on the towers from Crown Castle for an initial term of ten years, as renewed, at current market rates, subject to further optional renewals in the future.
We determined that we did not transfer control of the tower assets, which prevented us from achieving sale-leaseback accounting for the transaction, and we accounted for the cash proceeds from Crown Castle as a financing obligation on our consolidated balance sheets. We record interest on the financing obligation using the effective interest method at a rate of approximately 3.9%. The financing obligation is increased by interest expense and estimated future net cash flows generated and retained by Crown Castle from operation of the tower sites, and reduced by our contractual payments. We continue to include the tower assets in “Property, Plant and Equipment – Net” on our consolidated balance sheets and depreciate them accordingly. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the tower assets had a balance of $647 and $686, respectively. Our depreciation expense for these assets was $39 for each of 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Payments made to Crown Castle under this arrangement were $264 for 2023. At December 31, 2023, the future minimum payments under the sublease arrangement are $269 for 2024, $274 for 2025, $280 for 2026, $285 for 2027, $291 for 2028 and $1,686 thereafter.
NOTE 19. TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTV
We account for our investment in DIRECTV under the equity method and record our share of DIRECTV earnings as equity in net income of affiliates, with DIRECTV considered a related party. (See Note 10)
At December 31, 2023, our investment in DIRECTV was $877. The following table sets forth our share of DIRECTV’s earnings included in equity in net income of affiliates and cash distributions received from DIRECTV as of December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
DIRECTV’s earnings included in equity in net income of affiliates | $ | 1,666 | $ | 1,808 | $ | 619 | |||||||||||
Distributions classified as operating activities | $ | 1,666 | $ | 1,808 | $ | 619 | |||||||||||
Distributions classified as investing activities | 2,049 | 2,649 | 1,323 | ||||||||||||||
Cash distributions received from DIRECTV | $ | 3,715 | $ | 4,457 | $ | 1,942 | |||||||||||
In 2021, in addition to the assets and liabilities contributed to DIRECTV, we recorded total obligations of $2,100 to cover certain net losses under the NFL SUNDAY TICKET contract, of which $1,800 was in the form of a note payable to DIRECTV. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, cash payments to DIRECTV on the note totaled $130 and $1,211, respectively and were classified as financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows. As of December 31, 2023 the notes to DIRECTV have been repaid.
We provide DIRECTV with network transport for U-verse products and sales services under commercial arrangements for up to five years. Under separate transition services agreements, we provide DIRECTV certain operational support, including servicing of certain customer receivables. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we billed DIRECTV approximately $730, $1,260 and $550 for these costs, which were recorded as a reduction to the operations and support expenses incurred.
At December 31, 2023, we had accounts receivable from DIRECTV of $280 and accounts payable to DIRECTV of $30.
We are not committed, implicitly or explicitly, to provide financial or other support, as our involvement with DIRECTV is limited to the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities recognized on our balance sheet.
90
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
NOTE 20. FIRSTNET
In 2017, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) selected AT&T to build and manage the first nationwide broadband network dedicated to America’s first responders. Under the 25-year agreement, FirstNet provides 20 MHz of valuable telecommunications spectrum and success-based payments of $6,500 to support network buildout, which has been substantially completed. We are required to construct a network that achieves coverage and nationwide interoperability requirements and have a contractual commitment to make sustainability payments of $18,000 over the 25-year contract. These sustainability payments represent our commitment to fund FirstNet’s operating expenses and future reinvestments in the network which we own and operate, which we estimate in the $3,000 or less range over the life of the 25-year contract. After FirstNet’s operating expenses are paid, we anticipate the remaining amount, expected to be in the $15,000 range, will be reinvested into the network. On January 30, 2024, FirstNet agreed to reinvest up to $6,300 in the network over the next 10 years, subject to authorization.
During 2023, we submitted $195 in sustainability payments, with future payments under the agreement of $561 for 2024, $420 for 2025; $896 for 2026, $1,566 for 2027, $1,658 for 2028; and $11,909 thereafter. Amounts paid to FirstNet, which are not expected to be returned to AT&T to be reinvested into our network, will be expensed in the period paid. In the event FirstNet does not reinvest any funds to construct, operate, improve and maintain this network, our maximum exposure to loss is the total amount of the sustainability payments, which would be reflected in higher expense.
The $6,500 of initial funding from FirstNet is contingent on the achievement of six operating capability milestones and certain first responder subscriber adoption targets. These milestones are based on coverage objectives of the first responder network during the construction period, which is expected to be over five years, and subscriber adoption targets. Funding payments received from FirstNet are reflected as a reduction from the costs capitalized in the construction of the network and, as appropriate, a reduction of associated operating expenses. As of December 31, 2023, we have collected $6,404 of the $6,500 for the completion of certain tasks.
NOTE 21. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
We are party to numerous lawsuits, regulatory proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In evaluating these matters on an ongoing basis, we take into account amounts already accrued on the balance sheet. In our opinion, although the outcomes of these proceedings are uncertain, they should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We have contractual obligations to purchase certain goods or services from various other parties. Our purchase obligations are expected to be approximately $7,555 in 2024, $12,856 in total for 2025 and 2026, $8,187 in total for 2027 and 2028 and $909 in total for years thereafter.
See Note 12 for a discussion of collateral and credit-risk contingencies.
NOTE 22. SUPPLIER AND VENDOR FINANCING PROGRAMS
Supplier Financing Program
We actively manage the timing of our supplier payments for operating items to optimize the use of our cash and seek to make payments on 90-day or greater terms, while providing suppliers with access to bank facilities that permit earlier payment at their cost. Our supplier financing program does not result in changes to our normal, contracted payment cycles or cash from operations.
At the supplier’s election, they can receive payment of AT&T obligations prior to the scheduled due dates, at a discounted price from the third-party financial institution. The discounted price paid by participating suppliers is based on a variable rate that is indexed to the overnight borrowing rate. We agree to pay the financial institution the stated amount generally within 90 days of receipt of the invoice. We do not have pledged assets or other guarantees under our supplier financing program.
Our outstanding payment obligations are included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets and are reported as operating or investing (when capitalizable) activities in our statements of cash flows when paid.
91
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
The following table presents the change in the supplier financing obligation for the year ended December 31:
| 2023 | |||||
| $ | 2,869 | ||||
Invoices received | 12,496 | ||||
Invoices paid | (12,521) | ||||
| $ | 2,844 | ||||
Direct Supplier Financing
We also have arrangements with suppliers of handset inventory that allow us to extend the stated payment terms by up to 90 days at an additional cost to us (variable rate extension fee). Direct supplier financing outstanding is included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets and is reported as operating activities in our statements of cash flows when paid.
The following table presents the change in the direct supplier financing obligation for the years ended December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| $ | 5,486 | $ | 4,551 | ||||||||
Invoices extended | 17,376 | 16,570 | |||||||||
Invoices paid | (17,420) | (15,635) | |||||||||
| $ | 5,442 | $ | 5,486 | ||||||||
Vendor Financing
In connection with capital improvements and the acquisition of other productive assets, we negotiate favorable payment terms of 120 days or more (referred to as vendor financing), which are reported as financing activities in our statements of cash flows when paid.
The following table presents the change in the vendor financing obligation for the years ended December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
Obligations outstanding at the beginning of year | $ | 5,607 | $ | 4,487 | |||||||
Commitments | 2,651 | 5,817 | |||||||||
Payments | (5,742) | (4,697) | |||||||||
Obligations outstanding at the end of year1 | $ | 2,516 | $ | 5,607 | |||||||
1Total vendor financing payables at December 31, 2023 at December 31, 2022 were approximately $2,833 and $6,147, respectively, of which $1,975 and $4,592 are included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.” | |||||||||||
NOTE 23. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 27,309 | $ | 31,101 | |||||||
| Accrued payroll and commissions | 1,698 | 1,605 | |||||||||
| Current portion of employee benefit obligation | 631 | 1,173 | |||||||||
Current portion of Mobility preferred interests | — | 2,670 | |||||||||
| Accrued interest | 2,187 | 2,160 | |||||||||
| Accrued taxes | 1,022 | 798 | |||||||||
| Other | 3,005 | 3,137 | |||||||||
| Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 35,852 | $ | 42,644 | |||||||
92
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Advertising expense | $ | 2,576 | $ | 2,462 | $ | 2,732 | |||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 303 | $ | 143 | $ | 119 | |||||||||||
| Interest expense incurred | $ | 7,578 | $ | 7,402 | $ | 7,670 | |||||||||||
| Capitalized interest – capital expenditures | (179) | (174) | (173) | ||||||||||||||
Capitalized interest – spectrum1 | (695) | (1,120) | (781) | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | 6,704 | $ | 6,108 | $ | 6,716 | |||||||||||
1Included in “Acquisitions, net of cash acquired” on our consolidated statements of cash flows. | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and Cash Flows We typically maintain our restricted cash balances for purchases and sales of certain investment securities and funding of certain deferred compensation benefit payments.
The following table summarizes cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances contained on our consolidated balance sheets:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations | $ | 6,722 | $ | 3,701 | $ | 19,223 | $ | 7,924 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations | — | — | 1,946 | 1,816 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash in Prepaid and other current assets | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash in Other Assets | 109 | 91 | 144 | 121 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 6,833 | $ | 3,793 | $ | 21,316 | $ | 9,870 | |||||||||||||||
The following tables summarize certain cash flow activities from continuing operations:
Labor Contracts As of January 31, 2024, we employed approximately 149,900 persons. Approximately 42% of our employees are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or other unions. After expiration of the collective bargaining agreements, work stoppages or labor disruptions may occur in the absence of new contracts or other agreements being reached. The main contracts set to expire in 2024 include the following:
•A contract covering approximately 5,000 Mobility employees in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas is set to expire in February.
•A wireline contract covering approximately 8,500 employees in California and Nevada is set to expire in April.
•Three wireline contracts covering approximately 15,000 employees in the southeastern United States are set to expire in August.
93
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
NOTE 24. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Upon the separation and distribution, the WarnerMedia business met the criteria for discontinued operations. For discontinued operations, we also evaluated transactions that were components of AT&T’s single plan of a strategic shift, including dispositions that previously did not individually meet the criteria due to materiality, and have determined discontinued operations to be comprised of WarnerMedia, Vrio, Xandr and Playdemic.
The following is a summary of operating results included in income (loss) from discontinued operations for the years ended:
In preparation for close of the separation and distribution, on April 7, 2022, Spinco drew $10,000 on its $10,000 term loan credit agreement (Spinco Term Loan), which conveyed to WBD. Total debt conveyed was approximately $41,600, which included $1,600 of existing WarnerMedia debt, $30,000 of Spinco senior notes issued in March 2022 and the $10,000 Spinco Term Loan. WarnerMedia cash transfer to Discovery was approximately $2,660.
NOTE 25. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following tables represent our quarterly financial results:
2023 Calendar Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First | Second1 | Third1 | Fourth1 | Annual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | $ | 30,139 | $ | 29,917 | $ | 30,350 | $ | 32,022 | $ | 122,428 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income | 6,002 | 6,406 | 5,782 | 5,271 | 23,461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income from Continuing Operations | 4,453 | 4,762 | 3,826 | 2,582 | 15,623 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Common Stock | 4,176 | 4,437 | 3,444 | 2,135 | 14,192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic Earnings Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributable to Common Stock from Continuing Operations2 | $ | 0.58 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 1.97 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributable to Common Stock from Continuing Operations2 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 1.97 | |||||||||||||||||||
1Includes actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement benefit plans (Note 14). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2Quarterly earnings per share impacts may not add to full-year earnings per share impacts due to the difference in weighted-average common shares for the quarters versus the weighted-average common shares for the year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
94
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
2022 Calendar Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First1 | Second1 | Third1 | Fourth1,2 | Annual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Operating Revenues | $ | 29,712 | $ | 29,643 | $ | 30,043 | $ | 31,343 | $ | 120,741 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss) | 5,537 | 4,956 | 6,012 | (21,092) | (4,587) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations | 5,149 | 4,751 | 6,346 | (23,120) | (6,874) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Common Stock | 4,747 | 4,319 | 5,924 | (23,536) | (8,546) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributable to Common Stock from Continuing Operations3 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.82 | $ | (3.20) | $ | (1.10) | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributable to Common Stock from Continuing Operations3 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.79 | $ | (3.20) | $ | (1.10) | |||||||||||||||||||
1Includes actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement benefit plans (Note 14). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2Includes goodwill impairments (Note 9) and an asset abandonment charge (Note 7). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3Quarterly earnings per share impacts may not add to full-year earnings per share impacts due to the difference in weighted-average common shares for the quarters versus the weighted-average common shares for the year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
95
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
During our two most recent fiscal years, there has been no change in the independent accountant engaged as the principal accountant to audit our financial statements, and the independent accountant has not expressed reliance on other independent accountants in its reports during such time period.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant is recorded, processed, summarized, accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023.
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
a.Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of AT&T is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. AT&T’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the published financial statements. AT&T management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on its assessment, AT&T management believes that, as of December 31, 2023, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
b.Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in the Annual Report containing the disclosure required by this Item, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
a.There is no information that was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2023 but was not reported.
b.In the quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a plan for the purchase or sale of our securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement for the purchase or sale of our securities, within the meaning of Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
96
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information regarding executive officers required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is furnished in a separate disclosure at the end of Part I of this report entitled “Information about our Executive Officers.” Information regarding directors required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) from the registrant’s 2024 definitive proxy statement (Proxy Statement) under the heading “Management Proposal Item No. 1. Election of Directors.”
Information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) from the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.”
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the committee are Messrs. Luczo, McCallister and Ubiñas, and Ms. Taylor. The additional information required by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) from the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Audit Committee.”
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics entitled “Code of Ethics” that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller or persons performing similar functions. The additional information required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K is provided in this report under the heading “General” under Part I, Item 1. Business.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) from the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the headings “Director Compensation,” “CEO Pay Ratio,” “Pay Versus Performance,” and the pages beginning with the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and ending with, and including, the pages under the heading “Potential Payments upon Change in Control.”
Information required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K is included in the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation Committee Report” and is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) and shall be deemed furnished in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
97
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is included in the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Common Stock Ownership,” which is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3).
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2023, concerning shares of AT&T common stock authorized for issuance under AT&T’s existing equity compensation plans.
| Equity Compensation Plan Information | |||||||||||
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 65,711,036 (1) | $ | — | 97,567,370 (2) | |||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Total | 65,711,036 (3) | $ | — | 97,567,370 (2) | |||||||
(1)Includes the issuance of stock in connection with the following stockholder approved plans: (a) 0 stock options under the Stock Purchase and Deferral Plan (SPDP), (b) 108,480 phantom stock units under the Stock Savings Plan (SSP), 17,725,781 phantom stock units under the SPDP, 21,174 restricted stock under the 2011 Incentive Plan, 425,950 restricted stock under the 2016 Incentive Plan and 43,413,267 restricted stock under the 2018 Incentive Plan, (c) 1,871,791 target number of stock-settled performance shares under the 2018 Incentive Plan. At payout, the target number of performance shares may be reduced to zero or increased up to 200%. Each phantom stock unit and performance share is settleable in stock on a 1-to-1 basis. The weighted-average exercise price in the table does not include outstanding restricted stock, performance shares, or phantom stock units.
The SSP was approved by stockholders in 1994 and then was amended by the Board of Directors in 2000 to increase the number of shares available for purchase under the plan (including shares from the Company match and reinvested dividend equivalents). Stockholder approval was not required for the amendment. To the extent applicable, the amount shown for approved plans in column (a), in addition to the above amounts, includes 2,144,593 phantom stock units (computed on a first-in-first-out basis) that were approved by the Board in 2000. Under the SSP, shares could be purchased with payroll deductions and reinvested dividend equivalents by mid-level and above managers and limited Company partial matching contributions. No new contributions may be made to the plan.
(2)Includes 12,326,447 shares that may be issued under the SPDP, 82,053,876 shares that may be issued under the 2018 Incentive Plan, and up to 3,187,047 shares that may be purchased through reinvestment of dividends on phantom shares held in the SSP.
(3)Does not include certain stock options issued by companies acquired by AT&T that were converted into options to acquire AT&T stock. As of December 31, 2023, there were 2,199,257 shares of AT&T common stock subject to the converted options, having a weighted-average exercise price of $20.82. Also, does not include 345,032 outstanding phantom stock units that were issued by companies acquired by AT&T that are convertible into stock on a 1-to-1 basis, along with an estimated 138,149 shares that may be purchased with reinvested dividend equivalents paid on the outstanding phantom stock units. No further phantom stock units, other than reinvested dividends, may be issued under the assumed plans. The weighted-average exercise price in the table does not include outstanding restricted stock, performance shares, or phantom stock units.
98
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K is included in the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Related Person Transactions,” which is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3). Information required by Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K is included in the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Director Independence,” which is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3).
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information required by this Item is included in the registrant’s Proxy Statement under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services,” which is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3).
Part IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)Documents filed as a part of the report:
| Page | ||||||||||||||
(1) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) | ||||||||||||||
Financial Statements covered by Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | ||||||||||||||
(2) Financial Statement Schedules: | ||||||||||||||
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | ||||||||||||||
Financial statement schedules other than those listed above have been omitted because the required information is contained in the financial statements and notes thereto, or because such schedules are not required or applicable.
(3) Exhibits: | ||||||||||||||
| Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the SEC, are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits hereto. Unless otherwise indicated, all exhibits so incorporated are from File No. 1-8610. | ||||||||||||||
| Exhibit Number | ||||||||||||||
| 2-a | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 2021, by and among AT&T Inc., Magallanes, Inc., and Discovery, Inc. (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2021)* | |||||||||||||
| 2-b | Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 17, 2021, by and among AT&T Inc., Magallanes, Inc., and Discovery, Inc. (Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2021)* | |||||||||||||
| 3-a | Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on December 13, 2013 (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2013) | |||||||||||||
| 3-b | ||||||||||||||
| 3-c | Certificate of Designations with respect to Series A Preferred Stock (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2019) | |||||||||||||
| 3-d | Certificate of Designations with respect to Series B Preferred Stock (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2020) | |||||||||||||
| 3-e | Certificate of Designations with respect to Series C Preferred Stock (Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2020) | |||||||||||||
99
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
| 4-a | No instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant and all of its consolidated subsidiaries is filed herewith pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A), except for the instruments referred to in 4-b, 4-c, 4-d, 4-e, 4-f below. Pursuant to this regulation, the registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument not filed herewith to the SEC upon request. | |||||||||||||
| 4-b | Guaranty of certain obligations of Pacific Bell Telephone Co. and Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. (Exhibit 4-c to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011) | |||||||||||||
| 4-c | Guaranty of certain obligations of Ameritech Capital Funding Corp., Indiana Bell Telephone Co. Inc., Michigan Bell Telephone Co., Pacific Bell Telephone Co., Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Illinois Bell Telephone Company, The Ohio Bell Telephone Company, The Southern New England Telephone Company, Southern New England Telecommunications Corporation, and Wisconsin Bell, Inc. (Exhibit 4-d to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011) | |||||||||||||
| 4-d | Guarantee of certain obligations of AT&T Corp. (Exhibit 4-e to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011) | |||||||||||||
| 4-e | Indenture, dated as of May 15, 2013, between AT&T Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2013) | |||||||||||||
| 4-f | Indenture dated as of November 1, 1994 between SBC Communications Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (Exhibit 4-h to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2013) | |||||||||||||
| 4-g | Deposit Agreement, dated December 12, 2019, among the AT&T Inc., Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., collectively, as depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depository receipts described therein (Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed December 12, 2019) | |||||||||||||
| 4-h | Deposit Agreement, dated February 18, 2020, among the Company, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., collectively, as depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts described therein (Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed February 18, 2020) | |||||||||||||
| 4-i | ||||||||||||||
| 10-a | ||||||||||||||
| 10-b | ||||||||||||||
| 10-c | Resolution Regarding John Stankey (Exhibit 10-b to Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2017)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-d | ||||||||||||||
| 10-e | ||||||||||||||
| 10-f | ||||||||||||||
| 10-g | Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (Exhibit 10-e to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2013)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-h | 2005 Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (Exhibit 10-g to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2021)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-i | Salary and Incentive Award Deferral Plan (Exhibit 10-k to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-j | ||||||||||||||
| 10-k | Stock Purchase and Deferral Plan as amended May 18, 2023 (Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2023)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-l | Cash Deferral Plan as amended July 28, 2022 (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2022)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-m | Master Trust Agreement for AT&T Inc. Deferred Compensation Plans and Other Executive Benefit Plans and subsequent amendments dated August 1, 1995 and November 1, 1999 (Exhibit 10-dd to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2009)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-n | ||||||||||||||
| 10-o | ||||||||||||||
| 10-p | Pension Benefit Makeup Plan No.1 (Exhibit 10-n to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2016)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-q | AT&T Inc. Equity Retention and Hedging Policy as amended March 24, 2022 (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2022) | |||||||||||||
| 10-r | ||||||||||||||
| 10-s | AT&T Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock and Deferral Plan (Exhibit 10-s to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2022) ** | |||||||||||||
| 10-t | AT&T Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Purchase Plan (Exhibit 10-t to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2013)** | |||||||||||||
100
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
| 10-u | AT&T Inc. Board of Directors Communications Concession Program (Exhibit 10-u to Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2022)** | |||||||||||||
| 10-v | ||||||||||||||
| 10-w | ||||||||||||||
| 10-x | ||||||||||||||
| 10-y | $12,000,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2022, among AT&T Inc., the lenders named therein and Citibank, N.A., as agent. (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2022) | |||||||||||||
10-z | Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NCWPCS MPL Holdings, LLC (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2019) | |||||||||||||
10-aa | ||||||||||||||
10-bb | Agreement of Contribution and Subscription, dated February 25, 2021 (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2021) | |||||||||||||
10-cc | Employee Matters Agreement by and among AT&T Inc., Magallanes, Inc., and Discovery, Inc. dated as of May 17, 2021 (Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K Filed on May 20, 2021) | |||||||||||||
10-dd | Tax Matters Agreement between AT&T Inc., Magallanes, Inc., and Discovery, Inc. dated as of May 17, 2021 (Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K Filed on May 20, 2021) | |||||||||||||
10-ee | Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of DIRECTV Entertainment Holdings LLC, dated as of July 31, 2021 (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed August 2, 2021) | |||||||||||||
10-ff | ||||||||||||||
10-gg | Amendment Regarding Continuation of Active Employee Participant Benefits in Certain AT&T Benefit Plans in Connection with DIRECTV Transaction (Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2021)** | |||||||||||||
10-hh | Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of AT&T Fiber Investment, LLC (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed April 7, 2023)* | |||||||||||||
| 21 | ||||||||||||||
| 23 | ||||||||||||||
| 24 | ||||||||||||||
| 31 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications | |||||||||||||
| 31.1 | ||||||||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||||||||
| 32 | ||||||||||||||
| 97 | ||||||||||||||
| 99 | Supplemental Interim Financial Information | |||||||||||||
| 101 | The consolidated financial statements from the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags. | |||||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | |||||||||||||
* Certain schedules (or similar attachments) have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) or Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant agrees to furnish copies of such schedules (or similar attachments) to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
**Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 15(b) of this report.
We will furnish to stockholders upon request, and without charge, a copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders and the Proxy Statement, portions of which are incorporated by reference in the Form 10-K. We will furnish any other exhibit at cost.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
101
| AT&T Inc. | ||
| Dollars in millions except per share amounts | ||
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Allowance for Credit Losses
| COL. A | COL. B | COL. C | COL. D | COL. E | ||||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | (2) | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | Charged to Costs and Expenses (a) | Charged to Other Accounts | Acquisitions | Deductions (b) | Balance at End of Period (c) | |||||||||||||||
Year 2023 | $ | 1,011 | 1,969 | — | — | 2,224 | $ | 756 | ||||||||||||
| Year 2022 | $ | 1,163 | 1,865 | — | — | 2,017 | $ | 1,011 | ||||||||||||
| Year 2021 | $ | 1,457 | 1,241 | — | — | 1,535 | $ | 1,163 | ||||||||||||
(a)Includes amounts previously written off which were credited directly to this account when recovered.
Excludes direct charges and credits to expense for nontrade receivables in the consolidated statements of income.
(b)Amounts written off as uncollectible.
(c)Includes balances applicable to trade receivables, loans, contract assets and other assets subject to credit loss measurement (see Note 1).
Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets
| COL. A | COL. B | COL. C | COL. D | COL. E | ||||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | (2) | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | Charged to Costs and Expenses | Charged to Other Accounts | Acquisitions | Deductions | Balance at End of Period | |||||||||||||||
Year 2023 | $ | 4,175 | 481 | — | — | — | $ | 4,656 | ||||||||||||
Year 2022 | $ | 4,343 | (168) | — | — | — | $ | 4,175 | ||||||||||||
Year 2021 | $ | 4,557 | (214) | — | — | — | $ | 4,343 | ||||||||||||
102
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 23rd day of February, 2024.
AT&T INC.
/s/ Pascal Desroches | ||
| Pascal Desroches | ||
| Senior Executive Vice President | ||
| and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Principal Executive Officer:
John T. Stankey*
Chief Executive Officer
and President
Principal Financial Officer:
Pascal Desroches
Senior Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Pascal Desroches | ||
| Pascal Desroches, as attorney-in-fact | ||
and on his own behalf as Principal | ||
Financial Officer | ||
Principal Accounting Officer:
Sabrina Sanders
Senior Vice President, Chief
Accounting Officer and Controller
/s/ Sabrina Sanders | ||
February 23, 2024
103