AT&T Inc. - T STOCK NEWS

Los Angeles City Fire Department and County Department of Public Health are enhancing public safety communications through a collaboration with FirstNet and Safe Environment Engineering. Utilizing FirstNet's high-speed broadband, first responders will access vital data and capabilities in the field. The IoT solutions from Safe Environment Engineering enable effective monitoring of hazardous situations. This partnership aims to increase reliability and security in communications, crucial for emergency responses. FirstNet, built with AT&T, is dedicated to serving first responders nationwide, improving overall safety.

AT&T will webcast a talk with CFO Pascal Desroches at the Oppenheimer Annual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference on August 10, 2021, at 9:05 a.m. ET. The event will be held virtually and can be accessed live, with a replay available afterward on the AT&T Investor Relations website. AT&T, trading under NYSE: T, is a global leader in telecommunications and media, serving over 225 million monthly subscriptions across its services. Viewers are advised to tune in a few minutes early to accommodate any schedule changes.

Delta Air Lines is enhancing pilot technology by upgrading to the iPad Pro with Apple's M1 chip and 5G, in collaboration with AT&T Business. This upgrade aims to improve pre-flight management efficiency as Delta also equips flight attendants with iPhone 12 and 5G.

The AT&T IoT Global SIM and Control Center will ensure optimal connectivity for pilots in over 200 countries, allowing for reliable data downloads comparable to Wi-Fi. Additionally, AT&T's 5G network supports increased security for airline staff, enhancing operations in the evolving airline industry.

AT&T and TPG Capital have successfully completed their transaction to create a new company called DIRECTV, which will manage AT&T's video services, including DIRECTV, AT&T TV, and U-verse. AT&T has received $7.1 billion in cash and a 70% stake in the new company, while TPG contributed $1.8 billion for a 30% stake. This move allows AT&T to reduce debt, aiming for a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio below 2.5x by year-end 2023. This transaction excludes HBO Max and certain other assets, focusing solely on U.S. video operations.

DISH Network has partnered with WarnerMedia to provide HBO Max, HBO, and Cinemax to DISH TV customers across the nation. To celebrate, DISH is offering a 10-day free preview starting August 6. Customers can subscribe to HBO Max for $12 per month, a discount from the regular price of $14.99, valid until October 27. The subscription includes access to over 13,000 hours of content, including Warner Bros. movies and live channels. Cinemax is available for $10 per month. This agreement enhances DISH's content offerings, positioning the company advantageously in the competitive streaming market.

AT&T reported second-quarter results revealing consistent customer growth across wireless, fiber, and HBO Max, alongside strong cash flows. Highlights include 789,000 postpaid phone net additions and a 10.4% revenue increase to $44.0 billion. Operating income reached $3.3 billion. The company raised its HBO Max year-end forecast to 70-73 million subscribers. Despite increased operating expenses of $40.8 billion, net income improved to $1.5 billion ($0.21 per share). Full-year guidance for revenue and cash flow was updated, indicating positive momentum in the business.

Grupo Werthein has agreed to acquire AT&T's Vrio Corp. business unit, a digital entertainment provider with 10.3 million subscribers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in early 2022. Vrio offers services under the DIRECTV and SKY brands and includes a range of premium content. AT&T reported a $4.6 billion impairment related to this asset as of June 30, 2021. Both companies are focused on ensuring a smooth transition for subscribers and employees.

AT&T's FirstNet is enhancing public safety capabilities with the introduction of four new solutions aimed at improving interoperability and situational awareness for first responders. Collaborating with industry leaders like Motorola Solutions, KSI Data Sciences, and NetMotion, FirstNet's new offerings include a Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk platform, the MissionKeeper streaming software, a VPN solution to secure mobile traffic, and a messaging app. These innovations aim to provide secure, seamless communication and improve emergency response, marking a significant step in modernizing the public safety communications landscape.

On July 20, 2021, AT&T announced that it ranked first in 5G network reliability and availability, according to Global Wireless Solutions (GWS). The evaluation was based on 8 million controlled tests across all 50 states, highlighting AT&T's 5G connection success rate of 99.5%. Furthermore, AT&T's 5G services are available to over 250 million people nationwide, with connectivity in top markets exceeding 20% more than competitors. AT&T emphasized its commitment to providing a fast, reliable, and secure 5G experience for customers.