AT&T Strategic Management

Part A: IT-Enabled Business Strategy

Introduction

AT&T (formerly SBC Communications) is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the US. The company offers a wide range of telecommunications services, including wireline services, wireless services and value added services such as high speed broadband services. Although, the company operates across all major markets in the world, most of the company's customer base is in the US. (Taylor, 51)

AT&T operates through four reportable segments: wireline, wireless, advertising and publishing, and others.

The wireline segment provides both retail and wholesale landline telecommunications services, including local and long-distance voice, switched access, internet protocol (IP) and internet access data, messaging services, managed networking to business customers, and U-verse video service.

It also provides satellite television services through an agreement with EchoStar Communications. (Taylor, 51)

AT&T provides these services domestically and internationally. The company's wireline services broadly fall into three categories: voice, data, and other services. (Hooper, 62)

Voice includes traditional local and long-distance service provided to retail customers along with wholesale access to its network and individual network elements. Long distance services consist of traditional long distance and international long distance, which are provided to customers that select the company as their primary long distance carrier. Long distance also includes services provided by calling card, 1-800 services and conference calling. Data includes traditional products such as switched and dedicated transport, internet access and network integration, and data equipment sales.

The company's data products include high-speed connections such as private lines, packet, dedicated internet and enterprise networking services and products such as DSL/broadband, dial-up internet access, and Wi-Fi. The company also provides businesses voice applications over IP-based networks (enhanced virtual private networks).

Other services of the wireline segment includes managed web hosting, application management, security service, integration services, customer premises equipment, outsourcing, directory and operator assistance services, government-related services, and U-verse and satellite video services.

The wireless segment includes AT&T Mobility, a wireless joint venture with BellSouth. It is one of the largest providers of mobile wireless voice and data communications services in the US, in terms of customer base. Its wireless networks encompass a range of technologies including Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) for data communications.

The company has also completed deploying Universal Mobile Telecommunications System/ High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (UMTS/HSPDA) third generation (3G) network technology across most major metropolitan areas of the US. (Hooper, 62)

The wireless segment offers a range of wireless voice communications services across varying pricing plans including postpaid and prepaid service plans. The company offers voice services (postpaid) on a contract basis for one or two year periods. Its wireless services include basic local wireless communications service, long-distance service and roaming services. The company also provides a range of consumer and enterprise wireless data services. The company markets a wide range of handsets and personal computer wireless data cards manufactured by various suppliers for use in voice and data services. AT&T also markets accessories such as carrying cases, hands-free devices, batteries, ...