Summary
AT&T Inc. reported first-quarter 2014 financial and operational results, showing modest growth in key areas. Net income attributable to AT&T remained steady at $3.7 billion, though earnings per share increased slightly to $0.70 from $0.67 in the prior year quarter. Total revenues grew by 3.6% to $32.5 billion, driven by strong performance in the wireless segment, particularly from device sales under the AT&T Next program and increased wireless service revenues. Growth was also seen in AT&T U-verse and strategic business services, which helped offset declines in legacy voice and data products. The company highlighted the successful acquisition of Leap Wireless International for approximately $1.2 billion, completed in March 2014. While Leap's results did not have a material impact on the first quarter, its subscribers were integrated into AT&T's base. Wireless segment revenues saw a significant 7.0% increase, bolstered by AT&T Next sales and a substantial net gain of over 1 million wireless subscribers, bringing the total customer base to 116 million. This growth was achieved despite a slight increase in postpaid churn and a decrease in average revenue per postpaid subscriber, which the company attributes to the adoption of AT&T Next and Mobile Share plans. The wireline segment experienced a slight revenue decrease, primarily due to ongoing declines in legacy services, though IP-based broadband and video revenues showed growth.
Key Highlights
- 1First-quarter 2014 net income attributable to AT&T was $3.7 billion, or $0.70 per share, compared to $3.7 billion, or $0.67 per share, in Q1 2013.
- 2Total revenues increased 3.6% to $32.5 billion, driven by wireless and strategic business services growth, offsetting legacy product declines.
- 3AT&T acquired Leap Wireless International for approximately $1.2 billion cash in March 2014, adding its subscribers to AT&T's base.
- 4Wireless segment revenues grew 7.0% to $17.9 billion, with significant contributions from AT&T Next device installment plans and increased service revenues.
- 5Total wireless subscribers reached approximately 116.0 million at March 31, 2014, an increase of 890,000 from the previous year, including 1.062 million net adds in Q1.
- 6More than 40% of postpaid smartphone gross adds and upgrades adopted the AT&T Next installment plan in Q1 2014.
- 7Wireline revenues saw a slight decrease of 0.4% to $14.6 billion, with growth in IP-based broadband and video offsetting declines in legacy services.