Driving innovation and competitiveness
Connecting America, Then and Now: How AT&T Is Honoring America’s 250th Birthday
The Next Era of American Connectivity
Driving innovation and competitiveness
The Next Era of American Connectivity
June 10, 2026
Key insights
At AT&T, our first name has always been American.
Our legacy is woven in the fabric of American infrastructure, and our people have been on the forefront of technological innovation since our founder, Alexander Graham Bell, made the first telephone call in 1876. We’re proud to be a true American company.
We carry this pride across every facet of our company, building upon our century and a half legacy through historic levels of investment, a dedicated and highly trained workforce, and innovating in ways that will secure our global competitiveness for the next era of American connectivity.
An American legacy: Building the future from a foundation of firsts
Earlier this year we proudly celebrated the anniversary of the call that started it all. This milestone not only memorialized our 150-year legacy as an iconic American company but also signaled the start of 150 years of trailblazing innovation.
When you look back at moments that defined key technological advancements of the 20th century, AT&T was there. From establishing the first 911 system to improve emergency response times in 1968 to partnering with the federal government to build America’s public safety network — FirstNet®, Built with AT&T — in 2017.
Operators in Louisville, Kentucky, 1881.
Later dubbed the “Hello Girls,” AT&T operators at the 2nd Army Corps Exchange near Moselle, France, during World War I, 1918.
Workers install the last pole of the Transcontinental Telephone Service in Utah, June 1914.
A highly skilled American workforce
From the groundbreaking ideas coming out of Bell Labs in the 20th century, to breaking ground on AT&T Fiber® builds across the country today, our legacy of innovation starts with our people.
Our employees, contractors, and suppliers are the backbone of our nation’s connectivity. They dig trenches, climb poles, go underground, visit homes, greet you at retail stores, and show up to support the communities they live and work in. Whether it’s 110 degrees in Arizona, or -10 degrees in Alaska, our workforce shows up every day to provide the connectivity Americans rely on.
To support our people, we’re committed to investing in America’s workforce, including by supporting the largest unionized workforce in the U.S. telecom industry. We’re focused on training, development, and expanding connectivity so communities keep talent, families gain stability, and local economies grow stronger.
Historic investment
In the last 5 years alone, AT&T has invested more than $150 billion in our wireless and wireline networks¹. But that’s just the start.
Earlier this year, AT&T announced an investment of more than $250 billion in the future of U.S. advanced connectivity over the next five years.
This investment is our commitment to driving America’s connected economy. The infrastructure we’re investing in enables the devices we use, the calls we take, the school we attend, and the appointments we can’t miss.
Because every community, family, and business should be able to participate in the promise of American progress.
Connecting America
How AT&T is honoring America’s 250th birthday
As the nation looks ahead to America’s 250th birthday, AT&T is marking this milestone by celebrating the connections that have helped shape our country.
Innovating for the next era of American connectivity
What began with a single copper wire has evolved into the nation’s largest converged network of fiber internet and 5G wireless services. Now, we’re laying the groundwork for the next wave of American technological leadership. This means we’ll keep building the network Americans rely on, whether delivered by fiber, wireless, or satellite, so more people and businesses have access to fast, reliable connectivity. It’s the foundation for what’s next, from remote care, to autonomous vehicles, to AI.
We’re proud to be part of America’s long history of invention and innovation, and we’re honored to celebrate our legacy alongside the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding.
With an eye to the next 250 years, let’s get to work.
¹Represents total Capital Investment on a consolidated basis, including acquisitions of spectrum, from 2021 through 2025. All years represent results from continuing operations.
FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
Archival images courtesy of AT&T Archives and History Center.
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