UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q
 

 (Mark One)  

 x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    
  For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2012 
    
  or 
    
 o
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 1-8610

AT&T INC.

Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 43-1301883
 
208 S. Akard St., Dallas, Texas 75202
Telephone Number:  (210) 821-4105


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 [X]   No [   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [X]   No [   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer[X] Accelerated filer[   ]
Non-accelerated filer[   ](Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting company[   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [   ]   No [X]
 
At April 30,October 31, 2012 there were 5,8635,680 million common shares outstanding.


 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

AT&T INC.AT&T INC. AT&T INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMECONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Dollars in millions except per share amountsDollars in millions except per share amounts Dollars in millions except per share amounts
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
 Three months ended  Three months ended Nine months ended
 March 31,  September 30, September 30,
 2012  2011  2012   2011   2012   2011 
Operating Revenues              
Wireless service $14,566  $13,961 $14,906  $14,261  $44,237  $42,379 
Data  7,795   7,171  7,977  7,459  23,695  21,979 
Voice  5,893   6,550  5,565  6,242  17,155  19,132 
Directory  744   868   803  1,049  2,512 
Other  2,824   2,697  3,011  2,713  8,720  8,218 
Total operating revenues  31,822   31,247  31,459  31,478  94,856  94,220 
Operating Expenses                
Cost of services and sales (exclusive of depreciation                
and amortization shown separately below)  12,913   12,813  12,718  12,656  38,000  38,225 
Selling, general and administrative  8,248   8,042  8,192  7,969  24,330  23,983 
Depreciation and amortization  4,560   4,584  4,512  4,618  13,571  13,804 
Total operating expenses  25,721   25,439  25,422  25,243  75,901  76,012 
Operating Income  6,101   5,808  6,037  6,235  18,955  18,208 
Other Income (Expense)                
Interest expense  (859)  (846) (824) (889) (2,624) (2,583)
Equity in net income of affiliates  223   249  182  193  537  649 
Other income (expense) – net  52   59  47  46  122  132 
Total other income (expense)  (584)  (538) (595) (650) (1,965) (1,802)
Income Before Income Taxes  5,517   5,270  5,442  5,585  16,990  16,406 
Income tax expense  1,865   1,802  1,741  1,899  5,672  5,594 
Net Income  3,652   3,468  3,701  3,686  11,318  10,812 
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest  (68)  (60) (66) (63) (197) (190)
Net Income Attributable to AT&T $3,584  $3,408 $3,635  $3,623  $11,121  $10,622 
Basic Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T $0.60  $0.57 $0.63  $0.61  $1.90  $1.79 
Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to AT&T $0.60  $0.57 $0.63  $0.61  $1.90  $1.79 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding – Basic (in millions)  5,918   5,925 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding with Dilution (in millions)
  5,940   5,945 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares        
Outstanding – Basic (in millions) 5,771  5,936  5,848  5,931 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares        
Outstanding with Dilution (in millions)
 5,792  5,954  5,869  5,950 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share $0.44  $0.43 $0.44  $0.43  $1.32  $1.29 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                
 
 
2 
2 

 


AT&T INC.              
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      
Dollars in millions              
(Unaudited)              
 Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
 2012  2011 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Net income $3,652  $3,468 $3,701  $3,686  $11,318  $10,812 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments (includes $1 and $0 attributable to
noncontrolling interest), net of taxes of $131 and $50
  243   93 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of
taxes of $33, $(280), $109 and $(157)
 57  (519)  199  (291)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:                
Unrealized gains, net of taxes of $54 and $27  101   49 
Reclassification adjustment realized in net income, net of taxes of $(3) and $(19)  (6)  (35)
Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $31, $(88), $58
and $(59)
 59  (165) 108  (110)
Reclassification adjustment realized in net income, net of
taxes of $(28), $(2), $(34) and $(23)
 (51) (2) (63) (43)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:                
Unrealized gains, net of taxes of $0 and $4  -   7 
Reclassification adjustment included in net income, net of taxes of
$3 and $1
  6   2 
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net income, net of taxes of
$(84) and $(71)
  (137)  (115)
Other comprehensive income  207   1 
Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $126, $(135),
$68 and $(143)
 232  (249) 125  (263)
Reclassification adjustment included in net income,
net of taxes of $4, $1, $11 and $4
   21  
Defined benefit postretirement plans:        
Net actuarial loss from equity method investees arising
during period, net of taxes of $0, $0, $(29) and $0
  -   -  (53)  - 
Amortization of net prior service credit included in
net income, net of taxes of $(84), $(69), $(255)
and $(206)
 (137) (112) (411) (336)
Other (1)  2   -   1 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 167  (1,043) (74) (1,035)
Total comprehensive income  3,859   3,469  3,868  2,643  11,244  9,777 
Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest  (69)  (60) (66) (63) (197) (190)
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to AT&T $3,790  $3,409 $3,802  $2,580  $11,047  $9,587 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                
 
 
3 
3 

 

AT&T INC.AT&T INC. AT&T INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Dollars in millions except per share amountsDollars in millions except per share amounts Dollars in millions except per share amounts
 March 31,  December 31, September 30, December 31,
 2012  2011 2012  2011 
Assets (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)   
Current Assets           
Cash and cash equivalents $2,442  $3,185 $2,217  $3,185 
Accounts receivable - net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $784 and $878  13,167   13,606 
Accounts receivable - net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $606 and $878 12,398  13,606 
Prepaid expenses  1,706   1,155  1,337  1,155 
Deferred income taxes  1,463   1,470  1,312  1,470 
Other current assets  1,987   3,611  1,694  3,611 
Total current assets  20,765   23,027  18,958  23,027 
Property, plant and equipment  260,211   260,279  267,639  260,279 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization  (152,980)  (153,192) (159,422)  (153,192)
Property, Plant and Equipment – Net  107,231   107,087  108,217  107,087 
Goodwill  70,929   70,842  69,762  70,842 
Licenses  51,782   51,374  52,082  51,374 
Customer Lists and Relationships – Net  2,385   2,757  1,622  2,757 
Other Intangible Assets – Net  5,203   5,212  5,038  5,212 
Investments in Equity Affiliates  4,302   3,718 
Investments in and Advances to Equity Affiliates 4,563  3,718 
Other Assets  6,759   6,327  6,607  6,327 
Total Assets $269,356  $270,344 $266,849  $270,344 
            
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity            
Current Liabilities            
Debt maturing within one year $6,775  $3,453 $3,433  $3,453 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  17,593   19,858  18,936  19,858 
Advanced billing and customer deposits  3,966   3,872  3,709  3,872 
Accrued taxes  1,601   1,003  2,209  1,003 
Dividends payable  2,585   2,608  2,511  2,608 
Total current liabilities  32,520   30,794  30,798  30,794 
Long-Term Debt  58,934   61,300  60,314  61,300 
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities            
Deferred income taxes  26,136   25,748  29,092  25,748 
Postemployment benefit obligation  34,113   34,011  33,842  34,011 
Other noncurrent liabilities  12,466   12,694  11,529  12,694 
Total deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities  72,715   72,453  74,463  72,453 
             
Stockholders’ Equity            
Common stock ($1 par value, 14,000,000,000 authorized at March 31, 2012 and        
December 31, 2011: issued 6,495,231,088 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)  6,495   6,495 
Common stock ($1 par value, 14,000,000,000 authorized at September 30, 2012 and    
December 31, 2011: issued 6,495,231,088 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011) 6,495  6,495 
Additional paid-in capital  91,032   91,156  90,982  91,156 
Retained earnings  26,446   25,453  28,907  25,453 
Treasury stock (620,517,527 at March 31, 2012 and 568,719,202        
Treasury stock (788,169,469 at September 30, 2012 and 568,719,202    
at December 31, 2011, at cost)  (22,460)  (20,750) (28,533) (20,750)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  3,386   3,180  3,106  3,180 
Noncontrolling interest  288   263  317  263 
Total stockholders’ equity  105,187   105,797  101,274  105,797 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $269,356  $270,344 $266,849  $270,344 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.            
 
 
4 
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AT&T INC.AT&T INC. AT&T INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Dollars in millionsDollars in millions Dollars in millions
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 March 31, September 30,
 2012  2011 2012  2011 
Operating Activities          
Net income $3,652  $3,468 $ 11,318  $ 10,812 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:             
Depreciation and amortization  4,560   4,584   13,571    13,804 
Undistributed earnings from investments in equity affiliates  (223)  (233)  (483)   (539)
Provision for uncollectible accounts  328   292   835    805 
Deferred income tax expense and noncurrent unrecognized tax benefits  337   731   3,441    4,942 
Net gain from impairment and sale of investments  (9)  (41)
Net (gain) loss from sale of investments, net of impairments  (27)   (57)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:             
Accounts receivable  111   72   (450)   (573)
Other current assets  1,082   708   1,459    1,342 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (1,573)  (1,309)  387    (2,533)
Other - net
  (469)  (540)  (1,107)   (853)
Total adjustments  4,144   4,264   17,626    16,338 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  7,796   7,732   28,944    27,150 
             
Investing Activities            
Construction and capital expenditures:            
Capital expenditures  (4,261)  (4,133)  (13,619)   (14,625)
Interest during construction  (65)  (35)  (197)   (119)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  (433)  (54)  (551)   (430)
Dispositions  16   11   807    76 
Sales of securities, net of investment  5   127 
Sales (purchases) of securities, net  311    45 
Other  1   9   (2)   28 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (4,737)  (4,075)  (13,251)   (15,025)
             
Financing Activities             
Net change in short-term borrowings with original maturities of three months or less  -   (36)  -    (1,620)
Issuance of long-term debt  2,986   -   6,935    7,935 
Repayment of long-term debt  (2,204)  (1,264)  (8,042)   (1,298)
Purchase of treasury stock  (2,066)  -   (8,374)   - 
Issuance of treasury stock  218   18   460    216 
Dividends paid  (2,606)  (2,540)  (7,738)   (7,627)
Other  (130)  119   98    (406)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities  (3,802)  (3,703)  (16,661)   (2,800)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (743)  (46)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (968)   9,325 
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year  3,185   1,437   3,185    1,437 
Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period $2,442  $1,391 $ 2,217  $ 10,762 
        
Cash paid during the three months ended March 31 for:        
Cash paid during the nine months ended September 30 for:    
Interest $1,224  $1,096 $ 3,335  $ 3,066 
Income taxes, net of refunds $(712) $(511)$ 390  $ (121)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
5 
5 

 

AT&T INC.AT&T INC. AT&T INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Dollars and shares in millions except per share amountsDollars and shares in millions except per share amounts Dollars and shares in millions except per share amounts
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
 March 31, 2012September 30, 2012
 Shares  Amount Shares Amount
Common Stock         
Balance at beginning of year  6,495  $6,495 6,495  $ 6,495 
Issuance of stock  -   -  -   - 
Balance at end of period  6,495  $6,495 6,495  $ 6,495 
           
Additional Paid-In Capital           
Balance at beginning of year     $91,156   $ 91,156 
Issuance of treasury stock      74    119 
Share-based payments      (198)   (133)
Share of equity method investee capital transactions   (160)
Balance at end of period     $91,032   $ 90,982 
           
Retained Earnings           
Balance at beginning of year     $25,453   $ 25,453 
Net income attributable to AT&T ($0.60 per diluted share)      3,584 
Dividends to stockholders ($0.44 per share)      (2,584)
Net income attributable to AT&T ($1.90 per diluted share)   11,121 
Dividends to stockholders ($1.32 per share)   (7,646)
Other      (7)   (21)
Balance at end of period     $26,446   $ 28,907 
           
Treasury Stock           
Balance at beginning of year  (568) $(20,750) (568) $(20,750)
Purchase of stock  (68)  (2,066) (245) (8,374)
Issuance of treasury stock  15   356 25   591 
Balance at end of period  (621) $(22,460) (788) $ (28,533)
            
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to AT&T, net of tax:        
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to AT&T, net of tax   
Balance at beginning of year     $3,180   $ 3,180 
Other comprehensive income attributable to AT&T      206 
Other comprehensive loss attributable to AT&T    (74)
Balance at end of period     $3,386   $ 3,106 
            
Noncontrolling Interest:        
Noncontrolling Interest    
Balance at beginning of year     $263   $ 263 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest      68     197 
Distributions      (44)    (143)
Translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes      1 
Balance at end of period     $288   $ 317 
            
Total Stockholders’ Equity at beginning of year     $105,797   $ 105,797 
Total Stockholders’ Equity at end of period     $105,187   $ 101,274 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.       
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation  Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our majority-owned subsidiaries and affiliates. Our subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both domesticallyin the United States and internationally, providing wireless and wireline communications services, local exchange services, long-distance services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking and wholesale services,services. On May 8, 2012, we completed the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for approximately $740 in cash after closing adjustments, a $200 note and advertising solutions.a 47% equity interest in the new entity, YP Holdings LLC (YP Holdings). Our operating results include the results of the Advertising Solutions segment through May 8. Beginning on May 9, we included our 47% equity in YP Holdings in equity in net income of affiliates in our Other segment and on our consolidated income statement.

All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in partnerships and less than majority-owned subsidiaries where we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain foreign equity investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one month of our period end. We also record our proportionate share of our equity method investees’ other comprehensive income items, including actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period’s presentation, including a reclassification of certain operating expenses based on an enhanced activity-based expense tracking system.

Comprehensive Income Reporting  We have adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board guidance that requires the reporting of comprehensive income, either as a separate financial statement (our election) or a continuation of the consolidated statements of income. We disclose the related tax effect for each item on the face of the statement.

Employee Separations  We established obligations for expected termination benefits provided under existing plans to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement. At March 31,September 30, 2012, we had severance accruals of $230$118 and at December 31, 2011, we had severance accruals of $335. The decline was primarily due to payments during the period.

Stock Repurchase Program  In December 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300 million shares of AT&T common stock. We began buying back stock under this program in the first quarter of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we had repurchased approximately 245 million shares totaling $8,374. In July 2012, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 300 million shares. We intend to continue repurchasing shares.

To implement these authorizations, we use open market repurchase programs, relying on Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 where feasible. We also use accelerated share repurchase programs with large financial institutions to repurchase our stock.


7 
7 

 
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for net income attributable to AT&T for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2012 and 2011, are shown in the table below:

 Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
 2012  2011 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Numerators                
Numerator for basic earnings per share:                
Net income $3,652  $3,468 
Net Income$3,701  $3,686  $11,318  $10,812 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest  (68)  (60) (66) (63) (197) (190)
Net income attributable to AT&T  3,584   3,408 
Net Income attributable to AT&T 3,635  3,623  11,121  10,622 
Dilutive potential common shares:                
Other share-based payment  3   3     
Numerator for diluted earnings per share $3,587  $3,411 $3,638  $3,626  $11,130  $10,630 
Denominators (000,000)                
Denominator for basic earnings per share:                
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  5,918   5,925  5,771  5,936  5,848  5,931 
Dilutive potential common shares:                
Stock options  4   4     
Other share-based payment  18   16  17  15  17  15 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share  5,940   5,945  5,792  5,954  5,869  5,950 
Basic earnings per share attributable to AT&T $0.60  $0.57 $0.63  $0.61  $1.90  $1.79 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to AT&T $0.60  $0.57 $0.63  $0.61  $1.90  $1.79 

At March 31,September 30, 2012 and 2011, we had issued and outstanding options to purchase approximately 2818 million and 9885 million shares of AT&T common stock. For the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2012 and 2011, the exercise prices of 52 million and 6058 million sharesoptions were above the market price of AT&T stock for the respective periods. Accordingly, we did not include these amounts in determining the dilutive potential common shares. At March 31,September 30, 2012 and 2011, the exercise prices of 2216 million and 3424 million vested stock options were below market price.



AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

NOTE 3. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services over various technology platforms and are managed accordingly. We analyze our various operating segments based on segment income before income taxes. We make our capital allocations decisions based on our strategic direction of the business, needs of the network (wireless or wireline) providing services and other assets needed to provide emerging services to our customers. Actuarial gains and losses from pension and other postretirement benefits, interest expense and other income (expense) – net, are managed only on a total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated results. The customers and long-lived assets of our reportable segments are predominantly in the United States. WeFor the quarter ended September 30, 2012, we have fourthree reportable segments: (1) Wireless, (2) Wireline, and (3) Other. Our operating results prior to May 9, 2012, also included Advertising Solutions. On May 8, 2012, we completed the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment and (4) Other.received a 47 percent equity interest in the new entity YP Holdings (see Note 1).

The Wireless segment uses our nationwide network to provide consumer and business customers with wireless voice and advanced data communications services. The Wireless segment results have been restatedreclassified to include the operating results of a subsidiary that provides services for subscribers to wirelessly monitor their home that was previously reported in the Wireline segment.

AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

The Wireline segment uses our regional, national and global network to provide consumer and business customers with landline voice and data communications services, AT&T U-verse® TV, high-speed broadband and voice services and managed networking to business customers. Additionally, we receive commissions on sales of satellite television services offered through our agency arrangements. The Wireline segment results have been restatedreclassified to exclude the operating results of the home monitoring business moved to our Wireless segment and to include the operating results of customer information services, which were previously reported in our Other segment’s results.

The Advertising Solutions segment includesincluded our directory operations, which publishpublished Yellow and White Pages directories and sellsold directory advertising and Internet-based advertising and local search. In April 2012, we announced an agreement to sell our Advertising Solutions and Interactive businesses (see Note 6).

The Other segment includes our portion of the results from our international equity investments, our 47 percent equity interest in YP Holdings and all corporate and other operations. Also included in the Other segment are impacts of corporate-wide decisions for which the individual operating segments are not being evaluated, including interest cost and expected return on plan assets for our pension and postretirement benefit plans. The Other segment results have been restatedreclassified to exclude the operating results of customer information services, which are now reported in our Wireline segment’s results.

In the following tables, we show how our segment results are reconciled to our consolidated results reported.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012                  
      Advertising Solutions        Consolidated Results 
  Wireless  Wireline  Other  Consolidations 
Total segment operating revenues $16,136  $14,928  $744  $14  $-  $31,822 
Operations and support expenses  10,083   10,297   547   234   -   21,161 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  1,666   2,808   77   9   -   4,560 
Total segment operating expenses  11,749   13,105   624   243   -   25,721 
Segment operating income (loss)  4,387   1,823   120   (229)  -   6,101 
Interest expense  -   -   -   -   859   859 
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates  (13)  -   -   236   -   223 
Other income (expense) – net  -   -   -   -   52   52 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $4,374  $1,823  $120  $7  $(807) $5,517 
                         
For the three months ended March 31, 2011                        
       Advertising Solutions          Consolidated Results 
  Wireless  Wireline  Other  Consolidations 
Total segment operating revenues $15,310  $15,051  $868  $18  $-  $31,247 
Operations and support expenses  9,861   10,312   572   110   -   20,855 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  1,506   2,958   106   14   -   4,584 
Total segment operating expenses  11,367   13,270   678   124   -   25,439 
Segment operating income (loss)  3,943   1,781   190   (106)  -   5,808 
Interest expense  -   -   -   -   846   846 
Equity in net income of affiliates  (4)  -   -   253   -   249 
Other income (expense) – net  -   -   -   -   59   59 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $3,939  $1,781  $190  $147  $(787) $5,270 
                         
 
9 
9 

 
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

For the three months ended September 30, 2012             
  Wireless  Wireline  Advertising Solutions  Other  Consolidations  Consolidated Results 
Total segment operating revenues $16,632  $14,813  $-  $14  $-  $31,459 
Operations and support expenses  10,549   10,134   -   227   -   20,910 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  1,730   2,774   -   8   -   4,512 
Total segment operating expenses  12,279   12,908   -   235   -   25,422 
Segment operating income (loss)  4,353   1,905   -   (221)  -   6,037 
Interest expense  -   -   -   -   824   824 
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates  (17)  -   -   199   -   182 
Other income (expense) – net  -   -   -   -   47   47 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $4,336  $1,905  $-  $(22) $(777) $5,442 
                         
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012                
  Wireless  Wireline  Advertising Solutions  Other  Consolidations  Consolidated Results 
Total segment operating revenues $49,121  $44,645  $1,049  $41  $-  $94,856 
Operations and support expenses  30,337   30,516   773   704   -   62,330 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  5,092   8,348   106   25   -   13,571 
Total segment operating expenses  35,429   38,864   879   729   -   75,901 
Segment operating income (loss)  13,692   5,781   170   (688)  -   18,955 
Interest expense  -   -   -   -   2,624   2,624 
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates  (45)  (1)  -   583   -   537 
Other income (expense) – net  -   -   -   -   122   122 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $13,647  $5,780  $170  $(105) $(2,502) $16,990 
                         
For the three months ended September 30, 2011                
  Wireless  Wireline  Advertising Solutions  Other  Consolidations  Consolidated Results 
Total segment operating revenues $15,606  $15,055  $803  $14  $-  $31,478 
Operations and support expenses  9,376   10,295   554   400   -   20,625 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  1,620   2,892   94   12   -   4,618 
Total segment operating expenses  10,996   13,187   648   412   -   25,243 
Segment operating income (loss)  4,610   1,868   155   (398)  -   6,235 
Interest expense  -   -   -   -   889   889 
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates  (8)  -   -   201   -   193 
Other income (expense) – net  -   -   -   -   46   46 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $4,602  $1,868  $155  $(197) $(843) $5,585 
                         
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011                
  Wireless  Wireline  Advertising Solutions  Other  Consolidations  Consolidated Results 
Total segment operating revenues $46,519  $45,136  $2,512  $53  $-  $94,220 
Operations and support expenses  29,023   30,752   1,707   726   -   62,208 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  4,741   8,726   301   36   -   13,804 
Total segment operating expenses  33,764   39,478   2,008   762   -   76,012 
Segment operating income (loss)  12,755   5,658   504   (709)  -   18,208 
Interest expense  -   -   -   -   2,583   2,583 
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates  (19)  -   -   668   -   649 
Other income (expense) – net  -   -   -   -   132   132 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $12,736  $5,658  $504  $(41) $(2,451) $16,406 

10

AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

NOTE 4. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Substantially all of our employees are covered by one of various noncontributory pension and death benefit plans. We also provide certain 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. Our objective in funding these plans, in combination with the standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), is to accumulate assets sufficient to meet the plans’ obligations to provide benefits to employees upon their retirement. No significant cash contributions are required under ERISA regulations during 2012. In October 2012, we filed an application with the U.S. Department of Labor for approval to contribute a preferred equity interest in our Mobility business to the trust used to pay pension benefits, under plans sponsored by AT&T. The preferred equity interest is estimated to be valued at $9,500 upon contribution. We anticipate approval in 2013, and expect to make the contribution at that time.

The following table details pension and postretirement benefit costs included in operating expenses (in cost of services and sales, and selling, general and administrative expenses) in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. We recognize actualactuarial gains and losses onfrom remeasuring our pension and postretirement plan obligations and assets in our operating results at our annual measurement date of December 31, unless earlier remeasurements are required.

In the following table, gainsexpense credits are denoted with parentheses. A portion of these expensesbenefit costs is capitalized as part of the benefit load on internal construction projects, providing a small reduction in the net expense recorded.

 Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
 2012  2011 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Pension cost:                
Service cost – benefits earned during the period $310  $297 $301  $297  $915  $890 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation  700   740  700  740  2,100  2,219 
Expected return on assets  (880)  (922) (880) (923) (2,640) (2,767)
Amortization of prior service (credit)  (4)  (4) (3) (4) (11) (12)
Net pension cost $126  $111 $118  $110  $364  $330 
                
Postretirement cost:                
Service cost – benefits earned during the period $84  $90 $81  $90  $247  $271 
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation  447   513  446  513  1,340  1,538 
Expected return on assets  (200)  (260) (200) (260) (601) (780)
Amortization of prior service (credit)  (217)  (174) (215) (173) (647) (520)
Net postretirement cost $114  $169 $112  $170  $339  $509 
                
Combined net pension and postretirement cost $240  $280 $230  $280  $703  $839 

Our combined net pension and postretirement cost decreased $40$50 in the third quarter and $136 for the first quarternine months of 2012. The decrease was primarilydecreases were related to higher amortization of prior service credits due to our plan change that provides prescription drug benefits on a group basis under Medicare Part D, as allowed under federal healthcare law. The combined net pension and postretirement cost also reflects the prior year’s performance of the U.S. securities markets and declining bond rates, which contribute to lower interest costs on the projected benefit obligation largely offset by lower expected return on plan assets.

We also provide senior- and middle-management employees with nonqualified, unfunded supplemental retirement and savings plans. Net supplemental retirement pension benefits cost, which is not included in the table above, was $31 in the firstthird quarter of 2012, of which $29 was interest cost, and $35$94 for the first quarternine months, of which $87 was interest cost. In 2011, net supplemental retirement pension benefits cost was $35 in the third quarter, of which $31 was interest cost, and $106 for the first nine months, of which $94 was interest cost.


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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts


NOTE 5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURE

The Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework provides a three-tiered fair value hierarchy that gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access.

Level 2Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
·  Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
·  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets.
·  Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
·  Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
·  Fair value is often based on developed models in which there are few, if any, external observations.

The fair value measurement 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. Valuation techniques used should 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, 2011.

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:

March 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value
Notes and debentures $65,472  $74,525  $64,514  $73,738 $ 63,510  $ 76,432  $ 64,514  $ 73,738 
Investment securities  2,272   2,272   2,092   2,092   1,950   1,950   2,092   2,092 

The fair values of our notes and debentures were estimated based on quoted market prices, where available. The carrying value of debt with an original maturity of less than one year approximates market value. The fair value measurements used for notes and debentures are considered Level 2 under the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure framework.
12

AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Investment Securities
Our investment securities consist of primarily available-for-sale instruments, which include equities, fixed income bonds and other securities. Substantially allA substantial portion of the fair values of our available-for-sale securities were estimated based on quoted market prices. 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. Realized gains and losses on securities are included in “Other income (expense) – net” in the consolidated statements of income using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale securities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (accumulated OCI). Unrealized losses that are considered other than temporary are recorded in “Other income (expense) – net” with the corresponding reduction to the carrying basis of the investment. Fixed income investments of $11 have maturities of $146 less than one year, $59$103 within one to three years, $75$233 within three to five years, and $280$252 for five or more years.
11 

AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Our short-term investments, other short- and long-term held-to-maturity investments (including money market securities) and customer deposits are recorded at amortized cost, and the respective carrying amounts approximate fair values.

Our investment securities maturing within one year are recorded in “Other current assets,” and instruments with maturities of more than one year are recorded in “Other Assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.

Following is the fair value leveling for available-for-sale securities and derivatives as of March 31,September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 March 31, 2012 September 30, 2012
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Available-for-Sale SecuritiesAvailable-for-Sale Securities         Available-for-Sale Securities        
Domestic equities Domestic equities$ 1,073 $ -  $ -  $ 1,073 Domestic equities$ 865  $ -  $ -  $ 865 
International equities International equities  534   -    -    534 International equities  445   -   -   445 
Fixed income bonds Fixed income bonds  -    560   -    560 Fixed income bonds  -   599   -   599 
Asset Derivatives1
Asset Derivatives1
           
Asset Derivatives1
        
Interest rate swaps Interest rate swaps  -    434   -    434 Interest rate swaps  -   306   -   306 
Cross-currency swaps Cross-currency swaps  -    248   -    248 Cross-currency swaps  -   472   -   472 
Foreign exchange contracts Foreign exchange contracts  -    2   -    2 Foreign exchange contracts  -   1   -   1 
Liability Derivatives1
Liability Derivatives1
           
Liability Derivatives1
        
Cross-currency swaps Cross-currency swaps  -    (701)   -    (701) Cross-currency swaps  -   (791)  -   (791)
Foreign exchange contracts Foreign exchange contracts  -    (4)   -    (4) Foreign exchange contracts  -   (2)  -   (2)
                  
 December 31, 2011 December 31, 2011
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Available-for-Sale SecuritiesAvailable-for-Sale Securities         Available-for-Sale Securities        
Domestic equities Domestic equities$ 947 $ -  $ -  $ 947 Domestic equities$ 947  $ -  $ -  $ 947 
International equities International equities  495   -    -    495 International equities  495   -   -   495 
Fixed income bonds Fixed income bonds  -    562   -    562 Fixed income bonds  -   562   -   562 
Asset Derivatives1
Asset Derivatives1
           
Asset Derivatives1
        
Interest rate swaps Interest rate swaps  -    521   -    521 Interest rate swaps  -   521   -   521 
Cross-currency swaps Cross-currency swaps  -    144   -    144 Cross-currency swaps  -   144   -   144 
Foreign exchange contracts Foreign exchange contracts  -    2   -    2 Foreign exchange contracts  -   2   -   2 
Liability Derivatives1
Liability Derivatives1
           
Liability Derivatives1
        
Cross-currency swaps Cross-currency swaps  -    (820)   -    (820) Cross-currency swaps  -   (820)  -   (820)
Interest rate locks Interest rate locks  -    (173)   -    (173) Interest rate locks  -   (173)  -   (173)
Foreign exchange contracts Foreign exchange contracts  -    (9)   -    (9) Foreign exchange contracts  -   (9)  -   (9)
1Derivatives designated as hedging instruments are reflected as other assets, other liabilities and, for a portion of interest rate swaps, accounts receivable.
 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments are reflected as other assets, other liabilities and, for a portion of interest rate swaps, accounts receivable.

12 
13

 
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts


Derivative Financial Instruments
We employ derivatives 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.

The majority of our derivatives are designated either as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair value hedge), or as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge).

Fair Value Hedging We designate our 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. Accrued and realized gains or losses from interest rate swaps impact interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps are recorded at fair market value as assets, and unrealized losses on interest rate swaps are recorded at fair market value as liabilities. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed-rate notes payable they hedge due to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate and are recognized in interest expense. Gains or losses realized upon early termination of our fair value hedges are recognized in interest expense. InFor the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2012 and March 31,September 30, 2011, no ineffectiveness was measured.

Cash Flow Hedging Unrealized gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as assets, and unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as liabilities, both for the period they are outstanding. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion is reported as a component of accumulated OCI until reclassified into interest expense in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings. The gain or loss on the ineffective portion is recognized as other income or expense in each period.

We designate our cross-currency swaps as cash flow hedges. We have entered into multiple cross-currency swaps to hedge our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to foreign currency risk generated from the issuance of our Euro and British pound sterling denominated debt. These agreements include initial and final exchanges of principal from fixed foreign denominations to fixed U.S. denominated amounts, to be exchanged at a specified rate, which was determined by the market spot rate upon issuance. They also include an interest rate swap of a fixed foreign-denominated rate to a fixed U.S. denominated interest rate. We evaluate the effectiveness of our cross-currency swaps each quarter. InFor the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2012 and March 31,September 30, 2011, no ineffectiveness was measured.

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, except where a material amount is deemed to be ineffective, which would be immediately reclassified to income. Over the next 12 months, we expect to reclassify $46$45 from accumulated OCI to interest expense due to the amortization of net losses on historical interest rate locks. In February 2012, we utilized $800 notional value of interest rate locks related to our February 2012 debt issuance.

We hedge a portion of the exchange risk involved in anticipation of highly probable foreign currency-denominated transactions. In anticipation of these transactions, we often enter into foreign exchange contracts to provide currency at a fixed rate. Some of these instruments are designated as cash flow hedges while others remain nondesignated, largely based on size and duration. Gains and losses at the time we settle or take delivery on our designated foreign exchange contracts are amortized into income in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings, except where an amount is deemed to be ineffective, which would be immediately reclassified to income. InFor the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2012 and March 31,September 30, 2011, no ineffectiveness was measured.
 

 
13 
14

 
AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

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 March 31,September 30, 2012, we had posted collateral of $39$25 (a deposit asset) and held collateral of $23$469 (a receipt liability). Under the agreements, if our credit rating had been downgraded one rating level by Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch, Inc. before the final collateral exchange in March,September, we would have been required to post additional collateral of $102.$174. At December 31, 2011, we had posted collateral of $98 (a deposit asset) and had no held collateral (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), against the fair value of the derivative instruments.

Following is the notional amount of our outstanding derivative positions:

 March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  December 31, 
 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Interest rate swaps $7,800  $8,800  $3,000  $8,800 
Cross-currency swaps  7,502   7,502   9,481   7,502 
Interest rate locks  -   800   -   800 
Foreign exchange contracts  208   207   122   207 
Total $15,510  $17,309  $12,603  $17,309 

Following is the related hedged items affecting our financial position and performance:Following is the related hedged items affecting our financial position and performance: Following is the related hedged items affecting our financial position and performance:       
                  
Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income      Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Income          
Fair Value Hedging RelationshipsThree months ended 
March 31, March 31, 
Three months ended Nine months ended 
September 30, September 30, 
Fair Value Hedging Relationships2012 2011  2012  2011  2012  2011 
 
 $(61) $(86) $(21) $92  $(158) $81 
Gain (Loss) on long-term debt  61   86   21   (92)  158   (81)

In addition, the net swap settlements that accrued and settled in the quarter ended March 31periods above were also reported as reductions ofoffset against interest expense.

 Three months ended Three months ended  Nine months ended 
 March 31,  March 31, September 30,  September 30, 
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 2012  2011  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Cross-currency swaps:                  
Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI $(5) $(32) $355  $(266) $190  $(415)
                        
Interest rate locks:                        
Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI  -   35   -   (105)  -   17 
Interest income (expense) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income  (9)  (3)   (12)   (3)   (32)  (11)
                        
Foreign exchange contracts:                        
Gain (Loss) recognized in accumulated OCI  5   8   3   (13)  3   (8)

The balance of the unrealized derivative gain (loss) in accumulated OCI was $(415)$(275) at March 31,September 30, 2012 and $(421) at December 31, 2011.
14 

AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

NOTE 6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Advertising Solutions Sale  On April 9, 2012, we announced an agreement to sell our Advertising Solutions and Interactive businesses to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for approximately $750 in cash (subject to adjustment primarily related to timing of closing), a $200 note and a 47% equity interest in the new company (known as YP Holdings LLC). The transaction is expected to close in mid-year 2012 and we do not expect to record a material gain or loss.
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Dollars in millions except per share amounts


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For ease of reading, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “we,” “AT&T” or the “Company” throughout this document, 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 in the communications services industry in both the United States and internationally, providing wireless communications services, local exchange services, long-distance services, data/broadband and wirelineInternet services, video services, telecommunications servicesequipment, managed networking and equipment as well as advertisingwholesale services. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. A reference to a “Note” in this section refers to the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In the tables throughout this section, percentage increases and decreases that are not considered meaningful are denoted with a dash.

Consolidated Results  Our financial results in the third quarter and for the first quarternine months of 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows:

 First Quarter 
 2012  2011  Percent Change  Third Quarter Nine-Month Period
 2012  2011  Percent Change 2012  2011  Percent Change
Operating Revenues $31,822  $31,247   1.8% $31,459  $31,478   (0.1)% $94,856  $94,220   0.7%
Operating expenses                                    
Cost of services and sales  12,913   12,813   0.8   12,718   12,656   0.5   38,000   38,225   (0.6)
Selling, general and administrative  8,248   8,042   2.6   8,192   7,969   2.8   24,330   23,983   1.4 
Depreciation and amortization  4,560   4,584   (0.5)  4,512   4,618   (2.3)   13,571   13,804   (1.7)
Total Operating Expenses  25,721   25,439   1.1   25,422   25,243   0.7   75,901   76,012   (0.1)
Operating Income  6,101   5,808   5.0   6,037   6,235   (3.2)   18,955   18,208   4.1 
Income Before Income Taxes  5,517   5,270   4.7   5,442   5,585   (2.6)   16,990   16,406   3.6 
Net Income  3,652   3,468   5.3   3,701   3,686   0.4   11,318   10,812   4.7 
Net Income Attributable to AT&T $3,584  $3,408   5.2% $3,635  $3,623   0.3% $11,121  $10,622   4.7%

Overview
Operating income increased $293,decreased $198, or 5.0%3.2%, in the third quarter and increased $747, or 4.1%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The increase was primarily due toBoth operating revenues and expenses for the quarter were affected by the May 2012 sale of our Advertising Solutions segment, as discussed below. Operating income in the third quarter and for the first nine months reflects continued growth in wireless service and equipment revenue, driven mostly by subscriber and data revenue growth, along with increased revenues from AT&T U-verse® U-verse® (U-verse) services and strategic business services. Partially offsettingGrowth in wireless and wireline revenues in the third quarter was more than offset by higher expenses driven primarily by increased revenues were higher operating expenses primarily related to growth in U-verse subscriberswireless equipment, commissions and commissions on smartphones.administrative costs. Our operating income margin in the firstthird quarter increaseddecreased from 18.6%19.8% in 2011 to 19.2% in 2012. The table above reflects2012 and for the reclassification of certain cost of services and sales expensesfirst nine months increased from 19.3% in 2011 to selling, general and administrative expenses based on an enhanced activity-based expense tracking system. This reclassification was not material and did not impact total operating expenses, operating income or our operating income margin.20.0% in 2012.

Operating revenues increased $575,decreased $19, or 1.8%0.1%, in the third quarter and increased $636, or 0.7%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The sale of our Advertising Solutions segment reduced revenues $803 in the third quarter and $1,463 in the first nine months. The third-quarter decrease from Advertising Solutions was offset by higher wireless service and equipment revenues and higher wireline data revenues from U-verse and strategic business services. The increase reflectsin operating revenues for the first nine months was primarily due to the continued growth in wireless service and equipment revenues driven by growth in the subscriber base and the increasing percentage of smartphone customers which contribute to higher wireless data revenues. In addition, higher wireline data revenues from U-verse services and strategic business services contributed to the increase. Therevenues. These increases were partially offset by the Advertising Solutions segment sale and continued declines in Wireline voice and print directory advertising revenues.wireline voice.

Revenue growth continues to be tempered by declines in our voice revenues. Total switched access lines decreased 12.7% since March 31, 2011. Customers disconnecting access lines switched to wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and cable offerings for voice and data or terminated service permanently as businesses closed or consumers left residences. While we lose wireline voice revenues, we have the opportunity to increase wireless service or wireline data revenues should the customer choose us as their wireless or VoIP provider. We also continue to expand our VoIP service for customers who have access to our U-verse video service.
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Revenue growth continues to be tempered by declines in our wireline voice revenues. Total switched access lines decreased 12.8% since September 30, 2011. Customers disconnecting access lines switched to wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and cable offerings for voice and data or terminated service permanently as businesses closed or consumers left residences. While we lose wireline voice revenues, we have the opportunity to increase wireless service or wireline data revenues should the customer choose us as their wireless or VoIP provider. We also continue to expand our VoIP service for customers who have access to our U-verse video service.

Cost of services and sales expenses increased $100,$62, or 0.8%0.5%, in the third quarter and decreased $225, or 0.6%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The increases weresale of our Advertising Solutions segment reduced expenses $277 in the third quarter and $499 for the first nine months. The increase in the third quarter was primarily due to increasedhigher wireless handset costs related to smartphone sales including the launch of the latest iPhone model and wireline costs of goods sold attributable to growth in U-verse subscriber growth,subscribers, which were mostly offset by lower non-employee related charges and the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment. The decrease for the first nine months is primarily due to the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment and lower non-employee related expenses, partially offset by higher Universal Service Fund (USF) feesU-verse, wireless handset and wireless network costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $206,$223, or 2.6%2.8%, in the third quarter and $347, or 1.4%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The increases were primarily due to higher employee related expenseswireless commissions and increased commissions paid on smartphone upgrades.administrative costs. The increases were partially offset by decreased sales and advertising costs.costs, employee related expenses, and the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment, which reduced expenses $277 in the third quarter and $435 for the first nine months.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $24,$106, or 0.5%2.3%, in the third quarter and $233, or 1.7%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The decrease is primarily relatedsale of our Advertising Solutions segment reduced expenses $94 in the third quarter and $195 for the first nine months. Expenses also decreased due to lower amortization of intangibles for customer lists related to acquisitions, partially offset by increased depreciation associated with ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion.

Interest expense increased $13,decreased $65, or 1.5%7.3%, in the third quarter and increased $41, or 1.6%, for the first nine months of 2012. The decrease in the third quarter was due to our lower average debt balances and interest rates, partially offset by call premiums paid on the early redemption of debt in September 2012. The increase in interest expensefor the first nine months was primarily due to higher amortization expense associated witha net charge of approximately $151 related to call premiums paid for the early redemption of debt.debt, which were partially offset by net gains on the settlement of associated interest-rate swaps. The increase from the early debt redemptions was partially offset by lower expense resulting from lower average debt balances and interest rates and an increase in the amount of interest capitalized on wireless spectrum that will be used in the future.

Equity in net income of affiliates decreased $26,$11, or 10.4%5.7%, in the third quarter and $112, or 17.3%, for the first quarternine months of 2012 primarily2012. Decreased equity in net income of affiliates was due to the sale of our ownership in Télefonos de México, S.A. de C.V. (Telmex) todecreased earnings at América Móvil, S.A. de C.V. (América Móvil) in, resulting from foreign exchange losses and increased taxes. Partially offsetting the fourth quarter of 2011.decreases were earnings from YP Holdings LLC (YP Holdings).

Other income (expense) – net We had other income of $52$47 in the third quarter and $122 for the first quarternine months of 2012, compared to other income of $59$46 in the third quarter and $132 for the first quarternine months of 2011. ResultsIncome in the third quarter and for the first quarternine months of 2012 included interest and dividend income of $17 and $51, leveraged lease income of $5 and $46 and net gains on the sale of investments of $83 and $82. This income was partially offset by a $10third-quarter investment impairment of $55.

Other income in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2011 included interest and dividend income of $13 and $56 and leveraged lease income of $4 and $15, respectively. In addition, third quarter 2011 results included an $8 gain on the sale of investments, $33nonstrategic assets along with foreign exchange gains of leveraged lease income and $15$7, while results for the first nine months of interest and dividend income. Results for first quarter 2011 included a $40 net gain on theof $66 from sale of investments, $7 of leveraged lease income and $13 of interest and dividend income.investments.

Income taxes increased $63,decreased $158, or 3.5%8.3%, in the third quarter and increased $78, or 1.4%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Our effective tax rate was 33.8%32.0% for the third quarter and 33.4% for the first quarternine months of 2012, as compared to 34.2%34.0% for the third quarter and 34.1% for the first nine months of 2011. The decrease in effective tax rate in this quarter 2011.is due primarily to recognition of benefits related to resolution of audit issues.
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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Selected Financial and Operating Data      
  March 31, 
  2012  2011 
Wireless customers (000)  103,940   97,519 
Network access lines in service (000)  35,436   40,596 
Total wireline broadband connections (000)1
  16,530   16,486 
Debt ratio2
  38.4%  36.6%
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges3
  5.24   5.25 
Number of AT&T employees  252,330   260,690 
1 Prior-year amounts restated to conform to current-period reporting methodology.
2 Debt ratios are calculated by dividing total debt (debt maturing within one year plus long-term debt) by total capital (total debt plus total stockholders’ equity) and does not consider cash available to pay
  down debt. See our “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for discussion.
3 See Exhibit 12.
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
��
Selected Financial and Operating Data      
  September 30, 
  2012  2011 
Wireless subscribers (000)  105,871   100,738 
Network access lines in service (000)  33,088   37,956 
Total wireline broadband connections (000)  16,392   16,476 
Debt ratio
  38.6%  38.5%
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
  5.36   5.41 
Number of AT&T employees
  241,130   256,210 
1
Debt ratios are calculated by dividing total debt (debt maturing within one year plus long-term debt) by total capital (total debt plus total stockholders’ equity) and do not consider cash available to pay down debt. See our “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for discussion.
2
See Exhibit 12.
3
Includes the reduction of approximately 8,200 employees as a result of the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment.

Segment Results

Our segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services over various technology platforms and are managed accordingly. Our operating segment results presented in Note 3 and discussed below for each segment follow our internal management reporting. We analyze our various operating segments based on segment income before income taxes. We make our capital allocations decisions based on our strategic direction of the business, needs of the network (wireless or wireline) providing services and other assets needed to provide emerging services to our customers. Actuarial gains and losses from pension and other postretirement benefits, interest expense and other income (expense) – net, are managed only on a total company basis and are, accordingly, reflected only in consolidated results. We have fourthree reportable segments: (1) Wireless, (2) Wireline, and (3) Other. Our operating results prior to May 9, 2012, also included Advertising Solutions. On May 8, 2012, we completed the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment and (4) Other.received a 47 percent equity interest in the new entity YP Holdings (see Note 1).
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

The Wireless segment uses our nationwide network to provide consumer and business customers with wireless voice and advanced data communications services. The Wireless segment results have been restatedreclassified to include the operating results of a subsidiary that provides services for subscribers to wirelessly monitor their homes that was previously reported in the Wireline segment’s results.

The Wireline segment uses our regional, national and global network to provide consumer and business customers with landline voice and data communications services, U-verse TV, high-speed broadband and voice services and managed networking to business customers. Additionally, we receive commissions on sales of satellite television services offered through our agency arrangements. The Wireline segment results have been restatedreclassified to exclude the operating results of the home monitoring business moved to our Wireless segment and to include the operating results of customer information services, which were previously reported in our Other segment’s results.

The Advertising Solutions segment includesincluded our directory operations, which publishpublished Yellow and White Pages directories and sellsold directory advertising and Internet-based advertising and local search. In April 2012, we announced an agreement to sell our Advertising Solutions and Interactive businesses (see Note 6).

The Other segment includes our portion of the results from our international equity investments, our 47 percent equity interest in YP Holdings, and all corporate and other operations. Also included in the Other segment are impacts of corporate-wide decisions for which the individual operating segments are not being evaluated, including interest cost and expected return on plan assets for our pension and postretirement benefit plans. The Other segment results have been restatedreclassified to exclude the operating results of customer information services, which are now reported in our Wireline segment’s results.
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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Operations and support expenses include bad debt expense; advertising costs; sales and marketing functions, including customer service centers; real estate costs, including maintenance and utilities on all buildings; credit and collection functions; and corporate support costs, such as finance, legal, human resources and external affairs. Pension and postretirement service costs, net of amounts capitalized as part of construction labor, are also included to the extent that they are associated with these employees. Our Wireless and Wireline segments also include certain network planning and engineering expenses, information technology, our repair technicians and repair services, and property taxes as operations and support expenses.

The following tables show components of results of operations by segment. Significant segment results are discussed following each table. Capital expenditures for each segment are discussed in “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
 
Wireless                  
Segment Results                  
  Third Quarter Nine-Month Period
  2012 2011 Percent Change 2012 2011 Percent Change
                   
Segment operating revenues                  
Service $14,906  $14,261   4.5% $44,237  $42,379   4.4%
Equipment  1,726   1,345   28.3   4,884   4,140   18.0 
Total Segment Operating Revenues  16,632   15,606   6.6   49,121   46,519   5.6 
Segment operating expenses                        
Operations and support  10,549   9,376   12.5   30,337   29,023   4.5 
Depreciation and amortization  1,730   1,620   6.8   5,092   4,741   7.4 
Total Segment Operating Expenses  12,279   10,996   11.7   35,429   33,764   4.9 
Segment Operating Income  4,353   4,610   (5.6)   13,692   12,755   7.3 
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates  (17)   (8)   -   (45)   (19)   - 
Segment Income $4,336  $4,602   (5.8)% $13,647  $12,736   7.2%

 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
 
Wireless         
Segment Results         
  First Quarter 
  2012  2011  Percent Change 
 
Segment operating revenues         
      Service $14,566  $13,961   4.3%
      Equipment  1,570   1,349   16.4 
Total Segment Operating Revenues  16,136   15,310   5.4 
Segment operating expenses            
      Operations and support  10,083   9,861   2.3 
      Depreciation and amortization  1,666   1,506   10.6 
Total Segment Operating Expenses  11,749   11,367   3.4 
Segment Operating Income  4,387   3,943   11.3 
Equity in Net Loss of Affiliates  (13)  (4)   - 
Segment Income $4,374  $3,939   11.0%
The following table highlights other key measures of performance for the Wireless segment:       
                   
  Third Quarter Nine-Month Period
  2012 2011 Percent Change 2012 2011 Percent Change
Wireless Subscribers (000)1
           105,871   100,738   5.1%
     Gross Subscriber Additions (000)2
  4,914   5,946   (17.4)%  15,162   17,154   (11.6)
     Net Subscriber Additions (000)2
  678   2,123   (68.1)  2,670   5,202   (48.7)
     Total Churn4
  1.34%  1.28% 6 BP   1.33%  1.36% (3) BP 
                         
Postpaid Subscribers (000)              69,747   68,614   1.7%
     Net Postpaid Subscriber Additions (000)2
  151   319   (52.7)%  658   712   (7.6)
     Postpaid Churn4
  1.08%  1.15% (7) BP   1.05%  1.16% (11) BP 
                         
Prepaid Subscribers (000)              7,545   7,059   6.9%
     Net Prepaid Subscriber Additions (000)2
  77   293   (73.7)%  294   515   (42.9)
                         
Reseller Subscribers (000)              14,573   13,028   11.9%
     Net Reseller Subscriber Additions (000)2
  137   473   (71.0)%  793   1,282   (38.1)
                         
Connected Device Subscribers (000)3
              14,006   12,037   16.4%
     Net Connected Device Subscriber Additions (000)  313   1,038   (69.8)%  925   2,693   (65.7)
1
Represents 100% of AT&T Mobility customers.
2
Excludes merger and acquisition-related additions during the period.
3
Includes data-centric devices such as eReaders, home security and automobile monitoring systems, and fleet management. Tablets are primarily reflected in our prepaid subscriber category, with the remainder in postpaid.
4
Calculated by dividing the aggregate number of wireless subscribers who canceled service during a period divided by the total number of wireless subscribers at the beginning of that period. The churn rate for the period is equal to the average of the churn rate for each month of that period.

The following table highlights other key measures of performance for the Wireless segment: 
          
  First Quarter 
  2012  2011  Percent Change 
 
 Wireless Subscribers (000)1
  103,940   97,519   6.6%
      Gross Subscriber Additions (000)2
  5,278   5,907   (10.6)
      Net Subscriber Additions (000)2
  726   1,984   (63.4)
      Total Churn
  1.47%  1.36% 11 BP 
             
 Postpaid Subscribers (000)
  69,403   68,062   2.0%
      Net Postpaid Subscriber Additions (000)2
  187   62   - 
      Postpaid Churn
  1.10%  1.18% (8) BP 
             
 Prepaid Subscribers (000)
  7,368   6,613   11.4%
      Net Prepaid Subscriber Additions (000)2
  125   85   47.1 
             
 Reseller Subscribers (000)
  13,869   12,241   13.3%
      Net Reseller Subscriber Additions (000)2
  184   561   (67.2)
             
 Connected Device Subscribers (000)3
  13,300   10,603   25.4%
      Net Connected Device Subscriber Additions (000)
  230   1,276   (82.0)
1 Represents 100% of AT&T Mobility wireless customers.
 
2 Excludes merger and acquisition-related additions during the period.
 
3 Includes data-centric devices such as eReaders, home security and automobile monitoring systems, and fleet management. Tablets are split between postpaid and prepaid subscribers.
 

Wireless Subscriber Relationships
As the wireless industry continues to mature, we believe that future wireless growth will increasingly depend on our ability to offer innovative services and devices and a wireless network that has sufficient spectrum and capacity to support these innovations and make them available to more subscribers. To attract and retain subscribers, we offer a broad handset line and a wide variety of service plans.
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
 
Our handsetshandset offerings include at least 16 smartphones (handsets with voice and data capabilities using an advanced operating system to better manage data and Internet access) from nine manufacturers. As technology evolves, rapid changes are occurring in the handset and device industry with the continual introduction of new models (e.g., various Android, Apple, Windows and other smartphones) or significant revisions of existing models. We believe a broad offering of a wide variety of smartphones reduces dependence on any single operating system or manufacturer as these products continue to evolve in terms of technology and subscriber appeal. In the first quarternine months of 2012, we continued to see increasing use of smartphones by our postpaid subscribers. Of our total postpaid subscriber base, 59.3%63.8% (or 44.5 million subscribers) use smartphones, up from 46.2%52.6% (or 36.1 million subscribers) a year earlier. As is common in the industry, most of our subscribers’ phones are designed to work only with our wireless technology, requiring subscribers who desire to move to a new carrier with a different technology to purchase a new device. From time to time, we offer and have offered attractive handsets on an exclusive basis. As these exclusivity arrangements expire, we expect to continue to offer such handsets (based on historical industry practice), and we believe our service plan offerings will help to retain our subscribers by providing incentives not to movemigrate to a newdifferent carrier. We do not expect exclusivity terminations to have a material impact on our Wireless segment income, consolidated operating margin or our cash flows from operations.

Our postpaid subscribers typically sign a two-year contract, which includes discounted handsets and early termination fees. About 88%89% of our postpaid smartphone subscribers are on FamilyTalk® Plans (family plans), Mobile Share plans or business discount plans (discount plans), which provide for service on multiple handsetsdevices at discounted rates, and such subscribers tend to have higher retention and lower churn rates. During the first quarter of 2011, we introduced our Mobile to Any Mobile feature, which enables our new and existing subscribers with qualifying messaging plans to make unlimited mobile calls to any mobile number in the United States, subject to certain conditions. We also offer data plans at different price levels (tiered(usage-based data plans) to attract a wide variety of subscribers and to differentiate us from our competitors. Our postpaid subscribers on data plans increased 15.1% in the first quarter of 2012, 60.9% of which were on tiered data plans as of March 31, 2012, up from 38.3% as of March 31, 2011.10.8% year over year. A growing percentage of our postpaid smartphone subscribers are on tieredusage-based data plans.plans, with 63.9% (or 28.5 million subscribers) on these plans as of September 30, 2012, up from 49.8% (or 18.0 million subscribers) as of September 30, 2011. Such offerings intendare intended to encourage existing subscribers to upgrade their current services and/or add connected devices, attract subscribers from other providers, and minimize subscriber churn. In late August 2012, we launched new Mobile Share data plans (which allow postpaid subscribers to share data at discounted prices among devices covered by their plan), and early sales results have been positive.

As of March 31,September 30, 2012, almost 30%more than 40% of our postpaid smartphone subscribers use a 4G-capable smartphone.device (i.e., a device that would operate on our HSPA+ or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network). Due to substantial increases in the demand for wireless service in the United States, AT&T is facing significant spectrum and capacity constraints on its wireless network in certain markets. We expect such constraints to increase and expand to additional markets in the coming years. While we are continuing to invest significant capital in expanding our network capacity, our capacity constraints could affect the quality of existing voice and data services and our ability to launch new, advanced wireless broadband services, unless we are able to obtain more spectrum. Any long-term spectrum solution will require that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) make new or existing spectrum available to the wireless industry to meet the needs of our subscribers. We will continue to attempt to address spectrum and capacity constraints on a market-by-market basis.

Also as part of our efforts to improve our network performance and help address the need for additional spectrum capacity, we intend to redeploy spectrum currently used for basic 2G services to support more advanced mobile Internet services on our 3G and 4G networks. We will manage this process consistent with previous network upgrades and will transition customers on a market-by-market basis from our Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) networks (referred to as 2G networks) to our more advanced 3G and 4G networks. We expect to fully discontinue service on our 2G networks by approximately January 1, 2017. As of September 30, 2012, about 10% of AT&T’s postpaid subscribers were using 2G-capable handsets. We do not expect this transition to have a material impact on our operating results, but will continue to evaluate the financial impact of transitioning customers from 2G devices to 3G or 4G devices.
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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Wireless Metrics
Subscriber Additions As of March 31,September 30, 2012, we served 103.9105.9 million wireless subscribers, an increase of 6.6%5.1%. We continue to experience slowingsee a declining rate of growth in the industry’s subscriber base compared to prior years, as reflected in a 10.6%17.4% decrease in gross subscriber additions (gross additions) in the third quarter and an 11.6% decrease for the first quarternine months of 2012, primarily related to lower connected device and reseller additions.2012. Lower net subscriber additions (net additions) in the third quarter and in the first quarter of 2012nine months were primarily attributable to lower connected device additions and higher connected device and reseller churn. The increase inadditions when compared to the prior year, which reflected higher churn rates for customers not using such devices (zero-revenue customers). Lower net postpaidprepaid additions in the firstthird quarter reflected a decrease in net prepaid tablet additions, as the introduction of our Mobile Share plans has accelerated a shift from prepaid to postpaid tablet subscribers. Postpaid subscriber additions in the third quarter of 2012 reflected, an increase in postpaid tablet subscribers as well as lower postpaid churn.part, inventory shortages of the latest iPhone model following its September launch.

Average service revenue per user (ARPU) – Postpaid from postpaid subscribers increased 1.7%2.4% in the third quarter and 1.9% for the first quarternine months of 2012, driven by an increase in postpaid data services ARPU of 15.3%14.6% in the third quarter and for the first nine months, reflecting greater use of smartphones and data-centric devices. The growth in postpaid data services ARPU in the first quarter of 2012 was partially offset by a 6.2%5.6% decrease in postpaid voice and other service ARPU in the third quarter and a 6.0% decrease for the first quarter. Postpaid voicenine months. Voice and other service ARPU declined due to lower access and airtime charges, triggered in part by continued growth in our familydiscount plans, subscriber base, which generates lower ARPU compared to ARPU for our traditional postpaid subscribers, and lower roaming revenues. About 88% of our postpaid smartphone subscribers are on family plans or business discount plans.

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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Total ARPU – Totaldeclined 2.7%1.3% in the third quarter and 2.1% for the first quarter of 2012,nine months, reflecting growth in connected device, tablet and reseller subscribers. Connected devices and other data-centric devices, such as tablets, have lower-priced data-only plans compared with our postpaid smartphone plans, which have voice and data features. Accordingly, ARPU for these subscribers is typically lower compared to that generated from our smartphone subscribers on postpaid and other plans. Data services ARPU increased 11.9%11.7% in the third quarter and 11.6% for the first quarter of 2012,nine months, reflecting greater smartphone and data-centric device use. We expect continued revenue growth from data services as more subscribers use smartphones and data-centric devices, and as we continue to expand our network. Voice and other service ARPU declined 11.1%9.7% in the third quarter and 10.5% for the first quarter of 2012nine months due to voice access and usage trends and a shift toward a greater percentage of data-centric devices. We expect continued pressure on voice and other service ARPU.

Churn  The effective management of subscriber churn is critical to our ability to maximize revenue growth and to maintain and improve margins. Churn rate is calculated by dividingPostpaid churn rates were lower in the aggregate numberthird quarter and for the first nine months, reflecting popularity of wireless subscribers who canceled service duringour discount plans, and last year’s postpaid churn rates reflected integration efforts connected to a period by theprior merger. The total number of wireless subscribers at the beginning of that period. The churn rate was also lower for the period is equalfirst nine months due to the average of the churn rate for each month of that period.these integration efforts. The total churn rate was higher due to connected device and reseller churn rates in the firstthird quarter of 2012 due primarily to adjustments forconnected devices and a higher number of zero-revenue devices. Postpaid churn was higher last year due to integration efforts connected to a prior merger.customers.

Operating Results
Our Wireless segment operating income decreased $257, or 5.6%, in the third quarter and increased $937, or 7.3%, for the first nine months of 2012. Segment operating income margin in the firstthird quarter increaseddecreased from 25.8%29.5% in 2011 to 27.2%26.2% in 2012 and for the first nine months increased from 27.4% in 2011 to 27.9% in 2012. The third-quarter margin decrease reflected higher smartphone upgrades and total device sales, partially offset by higher data revenues generated by our postpaid subscribers. The year-to-date margin increase in the first quarter reflected higher data revenues generated by our postpaid subscribers, fewer smartphone upgrades and total device sales, and operating efficiencies.

Service revenues are comprised of local voice and data services, roaming, long-distance and other revenue. Service revenues increased $605,$645, or 4.3%4.5%, in the third quarter and $1,858, or 4.4%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The first-quarter increaseincreases consisted of the following:
·  Data service revenues increased $1,018,$1,028, or 19.9%18.3%, in the third quarter and $3,060, or 19.0%, for the first quarter of 2012.nine months. The increase wasincreases were primarily due to the increased number of subscribers and increased Internet accessusage by subscribers using smartphones and data-centric devices, such as eReaders, tablets, and mobile navigation devices. Data service revenues accounted for 42.1%43.4% of our wireless service revenues for the first quarter of 2012,nine months, compared to 36.6%38.0% last year.
·  Voice and other service revenues decreased $413,$383, or 4.7%4.4%, in the third quarter and $1,202, or 4.6%, for the first quarter of 2012.nine months. While we had a 6.6%5.1% year-over-year increase in the number of wireless subscribers, ARPU continues to decline for voice and other non-data wireless services due to voice access and usage trends.
22

AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Equipment revenues increased $221,$381, or 16.4%28.3%, in the third quarter and $744, or 18.0%, for the first quarternine months of 2012 due to a year-over-year increase in smartphone sales as a percentage of total device sales to postpaid subscribers. During the first quarter of 2012, we introduced an increase in the handset upgrade fee, which also contributed to the year-over-year increaseincreases in equipment revenues.revenues this year.

Operations and support expenses increased $222,$1,173, or 2.3%12.5%, in the third quarter and $1,314, or 4.5%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. The first-quarterthird-quarter increase was primarily due to the following:
·  Equipment costs increased $496 reflecting the overall increase in handset upgrade activity and total device sales, as well as the sales of the more expensive smartphones, including the September launch of the latest iPhone model.
·  Selling expenses (other than commissions) and administrative expenses increased $326 due primarily to a $73 increase in information technology costs in conjunction with ongoing support systems development, $99 increase in professional fees and taxes, $87 increase in advertising costs, and $46 increase in payroll and benefit costs.
·  
Commission expenses increased $210$293 due primarily to the overall increase in handset upgrade activity and total device sales and a year-over-year increase in smartphone sales as a percentage of total device sales.
·  USF and reseller fees increased $54 primarily due to federal USF rate increases and higher handset insurance costs. A majority of USF fees are recovered and reported as revenues.

The increase for the first nine months of 2012 was primarily due to the following:
·  Commission expenses increased $467 due to a year-over-year increase in smartphone sales as a percentage of total device sales, partially offset by the overall decline in handset upgrade activity and total device sales.
·  Selling expenses (other than commissions) and administrative expenses increased $446 due primarily to a $149 increase in information technology costs in conjunction with ongoing support systems development, $117 increase in professional fees and taxes, $96 increase in payroll and benefit costs, and $93 increase in bad debt expense due to higher write-offs, and, partially offset by a $73 decline in advertising costs.
·  Network system, interconnect, and long-distance costs increased $106$214 due to higher network traffic, personnel-related network support costs in conjunction with our network enhancement efforts, and higher leasing costs.
·  USF and reseller fees increased $57$212 primarily due to federal USF rate increases.increases and higher handset insurance costs. A majority of USF fees are recovered and reported as revenues.
·  Equipment costs increased $73 reflecting sales of the more expensive smartphones, partially offset by the overall decline in upgrade activity and total device sales.

Partially offsetting these increases, wereincollect roaming fees decreased $101 for the following:
·  Incollect roaming fees decreased $66 due to lower access and airtime charges.
·  Selling expenses (other than commissions) and administrative expenses decreased $51 due primarily to a $114 decline in advertising costs, partially offset by a $81 increase in bad debt expense due to higher write-offs.
·  Equipment costs decreased $42 reflecting the overall decline in upgrade activity, which was partially offset by sales of the more expensive smartphones.
first nine months due to rate declines and lower roaming use associated with the integration of previously acquired subscribers into our network.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $160,$110, or 10.6%6.8%, in the third quarter and $351, or 7.4%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Depreciation expense increased $240,$184, or 18.8%12.9%, in the third quarter and $582, or 14.1%, for the first quarternine months primarily due to ongoing capital spending for network upgrades and expansion. expansion and the reclassification of shared information technology costs partially offset by certain network assets becoming fully depreciated. We expect substantially all of our GSM and EDGE network assets to be fully depreciated by end-of-year 2016.

Amortization expense decreased $80,$74, or 34.5%39.2%, in the third quarter and $231, or 36.8%, for the first quarternine months primarily due to loweran accelerated method of amortization of intangibles for customer lists related to acquisitions.
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
 
Wireline                           
Segment Results                           
 First Quarter    Third Quarter   Nine-Month Period
 2012  2011  
Percent
Change
  2012 2011 Percent Change 2012 2011 Percent Change
                  
Segment operating revenues                           
Data $7,795  $7,171   8.7% $7,977  $7,459   6.9% $23,695  $21,979   7.8%
Voice  5,893   6,550   (10.0)  5,565   6,242   (10.8)  17,155   19,132   (10.3)
Other  1,240   1,330   (6.8)  1,271   1,354   (6.1)  3,795   4,025   (5.7)
Total Segment Operating Revenues  14,928   15,051   (0.8)  14,813   15,055   (1.6)  44,645   45,136   (1.1)
Segment operating expenses                                    
Operations and support  10,297   10,312   (0.1)  10,134   10,295   (1.6)  30,516   30,752   (0.8)
Depreciation and amortization  2,808   2,958   (5.1)  2,774   2,892   (4.1)  8,348   8,726   (4.3)
Total Segment Operating Expenses  13,105   13,270   (1.2)  12,908   13,187   (2.1)  38,864   39,478   (1.6)
Segment Operating Income  1,905   1,868   2.0   5,781   5,658   2.2 
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates  -   -   -   (1)   -   - 
Segment Income $1,823  $1,781   2.4% $1,905  $1,868   2.0% $5,780  $5,658   2.2%

Operating ResultsIncome and Margin Trends
Our Wireline segment operating income increased $42,$37, or 2.4%2.0%, in the third quarter and $123, or 2.2%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Segment operating income margin in the firstthird quarter increased from 11.8%12.4% in 2011 to 12.2%12.9% in 2012, and for the first nine months increased from 12.5% in 2011 to 12.9% in 2012. Our increased operating margins reflect increased data revenue growth and lower operating expenses which include depreciation and amortization expenses.amortization. Our operating income and margins continued to be pressured by access line declines as our consumer and business customers either reduced usage or disconnected traditional landline serviceslandlines and switched to alternative technologies, such as wireless and VoIP. Our strategy is to offset these line losses by increasing non-access-line-related revenues from customer connections for data, video, and U-verse voice. Additionally, we have the opportunity to increase Wireless segment revenues if customers choose AT&T Mobility as an alternative provider.

Operating Results
Data revenues increased $624,$518, or 8.7%6.9%, in the third quarter and $1,716, or 7.8%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Data revenues accounted for approximately 52%53% of wireline operating revenues infor the first quarternine months of 2012 and 48% in49% for the first quarternine months of 2011. Data revenues include strategic business,transport, IP and traditionalpacket-switched data services.
·  Strategic business services, which include Ethernet, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Hosting, IP Conferencing and application services, increased $248,$164, or 19.0%11.5%, in the third quarter and $598, or 14.5%, for the first quarter, primarilynine months of 2012. These increases were driven by increased VPN revenues, which contributed additional revenues of $85 and $351 and Ethernet revenuerevenues, which increased by $160$75 and $74, respectively.$216 in the third quarter and for the first nine months.
·  IP data revenues (excluding strategic services) increased $476,$512, or 14.9%, in the third quarter and $1,502, or 15.1%, for the first quarternine months of 2012 primarily driven by higher U-verse penetration and broadband additions.penetration. In the third quarter and for the first quarter,nine months U-verse video revenues increased $258,$263 and $794, broadband high-speed Internet access revenue increased $127$161 and $433 and U-verse voice revenue increased $61.$63 and $182, respectively. The increase in IP data revenues reflects continued growth in the customer base and migration from other traditional circuit-based services. New and existing U-verse customers are shifting from traditional landlines and DSL to our U-verse Voice and from DSL to our premium High Speed Internet access offerings.
·  Traditional data revenues, which include transport (excluding Ethernet) and packet-switched data services, decreased $100,$158, or 3.8%6.1%, in the third quarter and $384, or 4.9%, for the first quarter.nine months of 2012. This decrease was primarily due to lower demand as customers continue to shift to IP-based technology such as VPN, U-verse High Speed Internet access and managed Internet services. We expect these traditional services to continue to decline as a percentage of our overall data revenues.

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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Voice revenues decreased $657,$677, or 10.0%10.8%, in the third quarter and $1,977, or 10.3%, for the first quarternine months of 2012 primarily due to declining demand for traditional voice services by our consumer and business customers. Included in voice revenues are revenues from local voice, long-distance (including international) and local wholesale services. Voice revenues do not include VoIP revenues, which are included in data revenues.
·  Local voice revenues decreased $402,$388, or 10.0%.10.2%, in the third quarter and $1,183, or 10.1%, for the first nine months of 2012. The decrease was driven primarily by a 12.7%12.8% decline in total switched access lines. We expect our local voice revenue to continue to be negatively affected by increased competition from alternative technologies and the disconnection of additional lines.
·  Long-distance revenues decreased $246,$285, or 11.0%.13.2%, in the third quarter and $779, or 11.9%, for the first nine months of 2012. Lower demand for long-distance service from global businesses and consumer customers decreased revenues $201$242 in the third quarter and $650 for the first quarter.nine months of 2012. Additionally, expectedcontinuing declines in the number of our national mass-market customers decreased revenues $45$43 in the third quarter and $129 for the first quarter.nine months of 2012.
22 

AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Other operating revenues decreased $90,$83, or 6.8%6.1%, in the third quarter and $230, or 5.7%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Major items included in other operating revenues are integration services and customer premises equipment, government-related services and outsourcing, which account for approximately 60% of total other revenue for both periods.

Operations and support expenses decreased $15,$161, or 0.1%1.6%, in the third quarter and $236, or 0.8%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Operations and support expenses consist of costs incurred to provide our products and services, including costs of operating and maintaining our networks and personnel costs, such as compensation and benefits.

The decrease in the third quarter and for the first quarter decreasenine months of 2012 was primarily due to lower operating tax expensenonemployee related expenses of $56, nonemployee-related expense of $51, decreased traffic compensation expense of $49, decreased$36 and $270, employee related expenseexpenses of $45,$128 and $236, reflecting ongoing workforce reductionsreduction initiatives, traffic compensation expenses of $121 and lower bad debt expense$229, and contract services of $32 due to lower revenue$27 and improvements in cash collections.$100, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by increased cost of sales of $123,$127 and $389, primarily related to U-verse related expenses, increased agent commission expense of $52 and increased USF fees of $44.$39 and $237, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $150,$118, or 5.1%4.1%, in the third quarter and $378, or 4.3%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Depreciation decreased $82, or 3.0%, primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated. Amortization decreased $68, or 29.3%,2012. The decrease was primarily related to lower amortization of intangibles for the customer lists associated with acquisitions.acquisitions and lower depreciation as assets become fully depreciated.

 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Supplemental Information

Telephone, Wireline Broadband and Video Connections Summary
Our switched access lines and other services provided by our local exchange telephone subsidiaries at March 31,September 30, 2012 and 2011 are shown below.

 March 31,  March 31,  Percent  September 30,  September 30,  Percent
(in 000s)
 2012  2011  Change  2012  2011  Change
Switched Access Lines                  
Retail Consumer  18,095   21,618   (16.3)%  16,489   19,799   (16.7)%
Retail Business1
  15,256   16,649   (8.4)   14,619   15,989   (8.6)
Retail Subtotal1
  33,351   38,267   (12.8)   31,108   35,788   (13.1)
                        
Wholesale Subtotal1
  2,042   2,271   (10.1)   1,930   2,118   (8.9)
                        
Total Switched Access Lines2
  35,436   40,596   (12.7)%  33,088   37,956   (12.8)%
                        
Total Retail Consumer Voice Connections5
  20,537   23,479   (12.5)%
Total Retail Consumer Voice Connections3
  19,222   21,941   (12.4)%
                        
Total Wireline Broadband Connections1,3,6
  16,530   16,486   0.3%
Total Wireline Broadband Connections4,5
  16,392   16,476   (0.5)%
                        
Satellite service4
  1,732   1,886   (8.2)%
Satellite service6
  1,633   1,809   (9.7)%
U-verse video  3,991   3,205   24.5   4,344   3,583   21.2 
Video Connections  5,723   5,091   12.4%  5,977   5,392   10.8%
1 Prior-period amounts restated to conform to current-period reporting methodology.
Prior-period amounts restated to conform to current-period reporting methodology.
2 Total switched access lines include payphone access lines of 43 at March 31, 2012 and 58 at March 31, 2011.
3 Total wireline broadband connections include DSL, U-verse High Speed Internet and satellite broadband.
4 Satellite service includes connections under our agency and resale agreements.
5 Includes consumer U-verse VoIP connections of 2,442 at March 31, 2012 and 1,861 at March 31, 2011.
6 IncludesU-verse High Speed Internet connections of 5,941 at March 31, 2012 and 3,693 at March 31,
2
Total switched access lines includes payphone access lines of 50 at September 30, 2012 and 50 at September 30, 2011.
3
Includes consumer U-verse VoIP connections of 2,733 at September 30, 2012 and 2,142 at September 30, 2011.
4
Total wireline broadband connections include DSL, U-verse High Speed Internet and satellite broadband.
5
Includes U-verse High Speed Internet connections of 7,107 at September 30, 2012 and 4,636 at September 30, 2011.
6
Satellite service includes connections under our agency and resale agreements.
 
Advertising Solutions                           
Segment Results                           
First Quarter  Third Quarter Nine-Month Period
2012 2011  Percent Change  2012  2011  Percent Change 2012  2011  Percent Change
Total Segment Operating Revenues $744  $868   (14.3)% $-  $803   -  $1,049  $2,512   (58.2)%
Segment operating expenses                                    
Operations and support  547   572   (4.4)   -   554   -   773   1,707   (54.7)
Depreciation and amortization  77   106   (27.4)   -   94   -   106   301   (64.8)
Total Segment Operating Expenses  624   678   (8.0)   -   648   -   879   2,008   (56.2)
Segment Income $120  $190   (36.8)% $-  $155   -  $170  $504   (66.3)%

Operating Results
On May 8, 2012, we completed the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. Following the sale, we are no longer recording operating results for this segment. Our Advertising Solutions segment operating income margin for the first nine months decreased from 21.9%20.1% in 2011 to 16.2% in 2012. Operating revenues decreased $1,463, or 58.2%, and operating expenses decreased $1,129, or 56.2%, for the first quarternine months of 2011 to 16.1% in the first quarter 2012. The declines were primarily attributable to decreased print advertising revenue. On April 9, 2012, we announced an agreement to sell our Advertising Solutions business unit. As part of the terms of the transaction, we will receive a 47% equity interest in the new entity. The transaction is expected to close in mid-year 2012 (See Note 6).
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
 
Other                  
Segment Results                  
  Third Quarter    
Nine-Month Period
   2012   2011   Percent Change  2012   2011   Percent Change
Total Segment Operating Revenues $14  $14   -  % $41  $53   (22.6)%
Total Segment Operating Expenses  235   412   (43.0)  729   762   (4.3)
Segment Operating Loss  (221)   (398)   44.5   (688)   (709)   3.0 
Equity in Net Income of Affiliates  199   201   (1.0)  583   668   (12.7)
Segment Income (Loss) $(22)  $(197)   88.8% $(105)  $(41)   - 

Operating revenues decreased $124, or 14.3%, in the first quarter of 2012, reflecting migration from print to online search.

Operating expenses decreased $54, or 8.0%, in the first quarter of 2012, primarily driven by lower amortization expense of $34, due to an accelerated method of customer list amortization and decreased product related expense of $25.

Other         
Segment Results         
 First Quarter 
 2012 2011  Percent Change 
 
Total Segment Operating Revenues $14  $18   (22.2)%
Total Segment Operating Expenses  243   124   96.0 
Segment Operating Loss  (229)  (106)  - 
Equity in Net Income of Affiliates  236   253   (6.7) 
Segment Income from Continuing Operations $7  $147   (95.2)%

The Other segment includes results from all corporate and other operations and our portion of the results from our international equity investments.investments, our 47 percent equity interest in YP Holdings, and all corporate and other operations. Also included in the Other segment are impacts of corporate-wide decisions for which the individual operating segments are not being evaluated, including the interest cost and expected return on pension and postretirement benefitsbenefit plan assets.

OperatingSegment operating revenues decreased $4, or 22.2%,were flat in the third quarter, and decreased $12, or 22.6%, for the first quarternine months of 2012 primarily due to reduced revenues from leased equipment revenues.programs.

OperatingSegment operating expenses increased $119,decreased $177, or 96.0%43.0%, in the third quarter and $33, or 4.3%, for the first quarternine months of 2012. Increased operating expenses in the first quarter wereThe decrease was primarily due to T-Mobile related expenses in 2011, which were partially offset by higher employee-relatedemployee related charges.

Our Other segment also includes our equity investments in América Móvil and YP Holdings, the income from which we report as equity in net income of affiliates. Our earnings from foreign affiliates are sensitive to exchange-rate changes in the value of the respective local currencies.

Equity in net income of affiliates decreased $17,$2, or 6.7%1.0%, in the third quarter and $85, or 12.7%, for the first quarternine months of 20122012. Decreased equity in net income of affiliates for the first nine months was primarily relateddue to our sale of Telmex todecreased earnings by América Móvil in late 2011.during 2012, resulting from foreign exchange losses and increased taxes. Decreases were partially offset by earnings from YP Holdings.

Our equity in net income of affiliates by major investment is listed below:

 First Quarter  Third Quarter Nine-Month Period
 2012  2011  2012  2011  2012  2011 
América Móvil $237  $227 América Móvil$126 $176 $490 $594
Telmex  -   25 
YP HoldingsYP Holdings 75 - 94 -
Telmex1
Telmex1
 - 26 - 75
Other  (1)  1 Other (2) (1) (1) (1)
Other Segment Equity in Net Income of Affiliates $236  $253 Other Segment Equity in Net Income of Affiliates$199 $201 $583 $668

1
Acquired by América Móvil in late 2011.

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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

OTHER BUSINESS MATTERS

U-verse Services  We had approximately 44.3 million U-verse TV subscribers as of March 31,September 30, 2012. U-verse penetration of eligible living units at the end of the firstthird quarter of 2012 rose to 16.8% and 27.1% across areas marketed to for 42 months or more.was approximately 18.0%.

We believe that our U-verse TV service is a “video service” under the Federal Communications Act. However, some cable providers and municipalities have claimed that certain IP services should be treated as a traditional cable service and therefore subject to the applicable state and local regulations applicable to cable regulation. Certain municipalities have delayed our requests to offer this service or have refused us permission to use our existing or new right-of-ways to deploy or activate our U-verse-related equipment, services and products, resulting in litigation.systems. Petitions have been filed at the FCC alleging that the manner in which we provision “public, educational and governmental” (PEG) programming over our U-verse TV service conflicts with federal law, and a lawsuit has been filed in a California state superior court raising similar allegations under California law. If courts having jurisdiction where we have significant deployments of our U-verse services were to decide that federal, state and/or local cable regulation were applicable to our U-verse services, or if the FCC, state agencies or the courts were to rule that we must deliver PEG programming in a manner substantially different from the way we do today or in ways that are inconsistent with our current network architecture, it could have a material adverse effect on the cost and extent of our U-verse offerings.

Retiree Phone Concession Litigation  In May 2005, we were served with a purported class action in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (Stoffels v. SBC Communications Inc.), in which the plaintiffs, who are retirees of Pacific Bell Telephone Company, Southwestern Bell and Ameritech, contend that the cash reimbursement formerly paid to retirees living outside their company’s local service area, for telephone service they purchased from another provider, is a “defined benefit plan” within the meaning of ERISA.the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). In October 2006, the court certified two classes. In May 2008, the court ruled that the concession was an ERISA pension plan. In May 2009, we filed a motion for reconsideration withJanuary 2011, the trial court. That motion was granted in January 2011, andcourt entered a final judgment was entered in our favor. Plaintiffs appealed the judgment to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and onin April 16, 2012, the Fifth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s judgment in our favor dismissing the case. In July 2012, Plaintiffs have the right to appeal the decision tofiled a petition for a writ of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court.Court, which was denied on October 1, 2012, thereby ending the litigation.

NSA Litigation  Twenty-four lawsuits were filed alleging that we and other telecommunications carriers unlawfully provided assistance to the National Security Agency in connection with intelligence activities that were initiated following the events of September 11, 2001. In the first filed case, Hepting et al v. AT&T Corp., AT&T Inc. and Does 1-20, a purported class action filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, plaintiffs alleged that the defendants disclosed and are currently disclosing to the U.S. Government content and call records concerning communications to which Plaintiffs were a party. Plaintiffs sought damages, a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief for violations of the First and Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and other federal and California statutes. We filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. The United States asserted the “state secrets privilege” and related statutory privileges and also filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the complaint. The court denied the motions, and we and the United States appealed. In August 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit remanded the case to the district court without deciding the issue in light of the passage of the FISA Amendments Act, a provision of which addresses the allegations in these pending lawsuits (immunity provision). The immunity provision requires the pending lawsuits to be dismissed if the Attorney General certifies to the court either that the alleged assistance was undertaken by court order, certification, directive or written request or that the telecom entity did not provide the alleged assistance. In September 2008, the Attorney General filed his certification and asked the district court to dismiss all of the lawsuits pending against the AT&T Inc. telecommunications companies. The court granted the Government's motion to dismiss and entered final judgments in July 2009. In addition, a lawsuit seeking to enjoin the immunity provision’s application on grounds that it is unconstitutional was filed. In March 2009, we and the Government filed motions to dismiss this lawsuit. The court granted the motion to dismiss and entered final judgment in July 2009. All cases brought against the AT&T entities have been dismissed. In August 2009, plaintiffs in all cases filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In December 2011, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissals in all cases. In March 2012, the Plaintiffs in all but three cases filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court. The plaintiffs in two of the three cases have filed petitions for rehearing with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, both of which one hashave been denied and one is pending.denied. The plaintiffs in the third case did not file a petition in either court. Management believes that any further appeal is without merit and intends to continue to defend these matters vigorously.On October 9, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the remaining plaintiffs’ petition, thereby ending the litigation.

 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

Universal Service Fees Litigation  In October 2010, our wireless subsidiary was served with a purported class action in Circuit Court, Cole County, Missouri (MBA Surety Agency, Inc. v. AT&T Mobility, LLC), in which the plaintiffs contend that we violated the FCC’s rules by collecting Universal Service Fees on certain services not subject to such fees, including Internet access service provided over wireless handsets commonly called “smartphones” and wireless data cards, as well as collecting certain other state and local fees. Plaintiffs define the class as all persons who from April 1, 2003, until the present had a contractual relationship with us for Internet access through a smartphone or a wireless data card. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages as well as injunctive relief. We believeOn October 25, 2012, the Circuit Court in St. Louis, Missouri, to which the case had been transferred, granted preliminary approval to a settlement in which we receive a complete release of claims from members of the settlement class. Under the settlement, our liability to the class and its counsel is capped at approximately $150, the amount that an adverse outcome havingwas collected from customers but not owed or remitted to the government. The Court has scheduled a material effect on our financial statementsfinal fairness hearing in this case is unlikely.February 2013, at which time the Court will consider, among other things, whether the settlement should be finally approved as fair, reasonable and adequate.

Wage and Hour LitigationTwo wage and hour cases were filed in federal court in December 2009 each asserting claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (Luque et al. v. AT&T Corp. et al., U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California) (Lawson et al. v. BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Georgia). Luquealso alleges violations of a California wage and hour law, which varies from the federal law. In each case, plaintiffs allege that certain groups of wireline supervisory managers were entitled to paid overtime and seek class action status as well as damages, attorneys’ fees and/or penalties. Plaintiffs have been granted conditional collective action status for their federal claims and also are expected to seek class action status for their state law claims. We have contested the collective and class action treatment of the claims, the merits of the claims and the method of calculating damages for the claims. A jury verdict was entered in favor of the Company in October 2011 in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut on similar FLSA claims. In April 2012, we settled these cases, subject to court approval, on terms that will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. On October 12, 2012, the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement in Luque.

Advertising Solutions and Interactive Business Sale  On April 9,In May 2012, we announced an agreement to sellcompleted the sale of our Advertising Solutions and Interactive businessessegment to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, forL.P. We received approximately $750$740 in cash (subject to adjustment primarily related to timing of closing),after closing price adjustments, a $200 note and a 47% equity interest in the new company (known asentity YP Holdings LLC). TheHoldings. This transaction is expected to close in mid-year 2012 and we dodid not expect to recordhave a material gain or loss.effect on our financial statements.

NextWave Acquisition  On August 2, 2012, we announced an agreement to acquire NextWave Wireless Inc. (NextWave), which holds wireless licenses in the Wireless Communication Services (WCS) and Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) bands. We will acquire all the equity and purchase a portion of the debt of NextWave for $600. In addition certain of NextWave's assets will be paid to its holders of debt in redemption of the remainder of its debt. NextWave's shareholders voted to approve the merger on October 2, 2012, and the holders of NextWave’s debt have agreed to support our acquisition. This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. We anticipate closing this transaction by the end of 2012.

WCS Spectrum  WCS spectrum has not been suitable for mobile Internet usage due to technical rules designed to avoid possible interference to satellite radio users in adjacent spectrum bands. In June 2012, AT&T and Sirius XM filed a joint proposal with the FCC that would protect the adjacent satellite radio spectrum from interference and enable WCS spectrum to be used for mobile Internet service. On October 17, 2012, the FCC approved our joint proposal thereby allowing us to add needed spectrum for mobile broadband service. We expect to begin to deploy this spectrum within approximately three years of approval by the FCC for WCS spectrum currently held by the Company and within a similar period of closing for pending WCS spectrum acquisitions.

Labor ContractsContracts covering approximately 40,000 collectively-bargained wireline employees expired in early April 2012 (covering AT&T’s Midwest, West and East regions as well as AT&T Corp.). An additional contract covering approximately 22,000 wireline employees in the AT&T Southeast region expired on August 4, 2012. The Company and the employees’ union are continuingcontinue to negotiate new contracts.contracts in the Southeast, West and East regions and have reached certain agreements, as updated below. In the absence of an effective contract, the union is entitled to call a work stoppage.

In August 2012, members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) ratified three-year agreements covering approximately 13,000 and 5,700 wireline employees in the AT&T Midwest region and AT&T Corp., respectively, which expired in April. Additionally, we have extended a contract with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers covering nearly 7,000 employees in primarily the Midwest region by one year until June 2013, bringing the total employees under new contracts to approximately 25,000. In addition, in early October a new four-year national agreement covering healthcare benefits for more than 40,000 Mobility employees represented by the CWA was ratified. The agreement provides modest increases to employee costs over the four-year term.

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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

COMPETITIVE AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

Overview  AT&T subsidiaries operating within the United States are subject to federal and state regulatory authorities. AT&T subsidiaries operating outside the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of national and supranational regulatory authorities in the markets where service is provided, and regulation is generally limited to operational licensing authority for the provision of services to enterprise customers.

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. However, since the Telecom Act was passed, 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. We are pursuing additional legislative and regulatory measures to reduce these and other regulatory burdens that are no longer appropriate in atoday’s competitive telecommunications marketmarketplace and that inhibit our ability to compete more effectively and offer services wanted and needed by our customers. At the same time, we also seek to ensure that such legacy regulations are not extended to broadband or wireless services, which are subject to vigorous competition.

In addition, states representing a majority of our local service access lines have adopted legislation that enables new video entrants to acquire a single statewide or state-approved franchise (as opposed to the need to acquire hundreds or even thousands of municipal-approved franchises) to offer competitive video services. We also are supporting efforts to update and improve regulatory treatment for retail services. Regulatory reform and passage of legislation is uncertain and depends on many factors.

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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
DollarsWe provide wireless services in millions except per share amounts
Our wireless operations operate in robustrobustly competitive markets, but those services are likewise subject to substantial and increasing governmental regulation. Wireless communications providers must be licensed byobtain licenses from the FCC to provide communications services at specified spectrum frequencies within specified geographic areas and must comply with the FCC rules and policies governing the use of the spectrum as adopted by the FCC.spectrum. The FCC has recognized that the explosive growth of bandwidth-intensive wireless data services requires the Government to make more spectrum available. In February 2012, Congress authorized the FCC to conduct an “incentive auction,” to make available for wireless broadband use certain spectrum that is currently used by broadcast television licensees. The FCC has initiated a proceeding to establish rules that would govern this process. It also initiated a separate proceeding to review its policies governing mobile spectrum holdings and consider whether there should be limits on the amount of spectrum a wireless service provider may possess. We seek to ensure that we have the opportunity, through the incentive auction and otherwise, to obtain the spectrum we need to provide our customers with high-quality service. While wireless communications providers’ prices and service offerings are generally not subject to state regulation, states sometimes continue to attempt to regulate or legislate various aspects of wireless services, such as in the area of consumer protection.

Intercarrier Compensation/Universal Service  In October 2011, the FCC adopted an order fundamentally overhauling its high-cost universal service program, through which it disburses approximately $4,500 per year to carriers providing telephone service in high-cost areas, and its existing intercarrier compensation (ICC) rules, which govern payments between carriers for the exchange of traffic. The order adopts rules to address immediately certain practices that artificially increase ICC payments, as well as other practices to avoid such payments. The order also establishes a new ICC regime that will result in the elimination of virtually all terminating switched access charges and reciprocal compensation payments over a six-year transition. In the order, the FCC also repurposed its high-cost universal service program to encourage providers to deploy broadband facilities in unserved areas. To accomplish this goal, the FCC will transition support amounts disbursed through its existing high-cost program to its new Connect America Fund, which eventually will award targeted high-cost support amounts to providers through a competitive process. We support many aspects of the order and new rules. AT&T and other parties have filed appeals of the FCC’s rules, which are pending in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Our appeal challenges only certain, narrow aspects of the order; AT&T intervened in support of the broad framework adopted by the order. We do not expect the FCC’s rules to have a material impact on our operating results.

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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We had $2,442$2,217 in cash and cash equivalents available at March 31,September 30, 2012. Cash and cash equivalents included cash of $365$374 and money market funds and other cash equivalents of $2,077.$1,843. In the first threenine months of 2012, cash outflows were primarily used to meet the needs of the business, including, but not limited to, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and repayment of debt. In addition, we returned value to stockholders through dividends and by repurchasing shares of common stock. These outflows were partially offset by cash provided by cash receiptsreceived from operations and the issuance of long-term debt. We discuss many of these factors in detail below.

Cash Provided by or Used in Operating Activities
During the first threenine months of 2012, cash provided by operating activities was $7,796,$28,944, compared to $7,732$27,150 for the first threenine months of 2011. Current year operating cash was positively affected by our election to pay $200 of retiree postretirement expenses from plan assets, as opposed to paying these out of corporate funds.

Cash Used in or Provided by Investing Activities
For the first threenine months of 2012, cash used in investing activities totaled $4,737 and$13,251, which consisted primarily of $4,261$13,619 for capital expenditures excluding(excluding interest during construction. Acquisitionsconstruction), and acquisitions of $433$551, which included wireless spectrum purchases totaling $376.of $465. These expenditures were partially offset by cash of approximately $740 received from the sale of our Advertising Solutions segment.

Virtually all of our capital expenditures are spent on our wireless and wireline subsidiaries’ networks, our U-verse services, and support systems for our communications services. Capital spending in our Wireless segment of $7,240, excluding capitalized interest during construction, was $2,278, orrepresented 53%, of our total spending and increased 23%6% in the first threenine months. Wireless expenditures were primarily used for network capacity expansion, integration and upgrades to our High-Speed Downlink Packet AccessHSPA+ network and the deployment of LTE (4G) equipment for our commercial launch. The Wireline segment, which includes U-verse services, represented 46%47% of the total capital expenditures, excluding interest during construction, and decreased 13%18% in the first threenine months.
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31, 2012
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

We continue to expect that our capital expenditures during 2012 will be approximatelyto come in at the low-end of the $19,000 to $20,000 range while still meeting network build targets, assuming that the regulatory environment remains favorable for investment. The amount of capital investment is influenced by demand for services and products, continued growth and regulatory considerations.

Cash Used in or Provided by Financing Activities
For the first threenine months of 2012, our financing activities included proceeds of $2,986$6,935 from the following debt issuances:
·  $1,000 of 0.875% global notes due 2015, $1,000 of 1.6% global notes due 2017, and $1,000 of 3% global notes due 2022 issued in February 2012.
·  £1,250 of 4.875% global notes due 2044 issued in May 2012 (equivalent to $1,979 when issued).
·  $1,150 of 1.7% global notes due 2017 and $850 of 3% global notes due 2022 issued in June 2012.

During the first nine months of 2012, issuancedebt redemptions totaled $8,021 with a weighted average interest rate of $1,0005.58% and consisted of 0.875% global notes due 2015, $1,000 of 1.6% global notes due 2017, and $1,000 of 3.0% global notes due 2022.the following:
·  $1,200 of 6.375% senior notes due 2056 redeemed in February 2012.
·  $1,000 of 5.875% notes due August 2012 redeemed in March 2012.
·  $800 of 4.75% notes due November 2012, $2,500 of 4.95% notes due January 2013, and $1,500 of 6.7% notes due November 2013 redeemed in June 2012.
·  $1,000 of 4.85% notes due February 2014 redeemed in September 2012.

In February 2012, we redeemed $1,200 of outstanding 6.375% senior notes due 2056 and in March 2012, we redeemed $1,000 of 5.875% notes due August 2012.

In December 2010, theour Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300 million shares of AT&T common stock. We began buying back stock under this program in the first quarter of 2012. In July 2012, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 300 million shares. As of March 31,September 30, 2012, we have repurchased 67.7244.5 million shares totaling $2,066. $8,374. We expectintend to continue buying back stock under this program.
repurchasing shares.

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AT&T INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Continued
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

We paid dividends of $2,606$7,738 during the first threenine months of 2012, compared with $2,540$7,627 for the first threenine months of 2011, primarily reflecting an increase in the quarterly dividend approved by our Board of Directors in December 2011.2011 and partially offset by the decline in shares outstanding due to our repurchases during the year. Dividends declared by our Board of Directors totaled $0.44 per share in the third quarter of 2012 and $1.32 per share for the first quarternine months of 2012 and $0.43 per share forin the third quarter and $1.29 per share for the first threenine months of 2011. Our dividend policy considers the expectations and requirements of stockholders, internal requirements of AT&T and long-term growth opportunities. It is our intent to provide the financial flexibility to allow our Board of Directors to consider dividend growth and to recommend an increase in dividends to be paid in future periods. All dividends remain subject to declaration by our Board of Directors.

At March 31,September 30, 2012, we had $6,775$3,433 of debt maturing within one year, all of which were long-term debt maturities. Debt maturing within one year includes the following notes that may be put back to us by the holders:
·  $1,000 of annual put reset securities issued by BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth) that may be put back to us each April until maturity in 2021. No such put was exercised during April 2012.
·  An accreting zero-coupon note that may be redeemed each May until maturity in 2022. If the zero-coupon note (issued for principal of $500 in 2007) is held to maturity, the redemption amount will be $1,030.

We have two revolving credit agreements with a syndicate of banks: a $5,000 agreement expiring in December 2015 and a $3,000 agreement expiring in December 2012. Advances under either agreement may be used for general corporate purposes, which could include repayment of maturing commercial paper. Advances are not conditioned on the absence of a material adverse change. All advances must be repaid no later than the date on which lenders are no longer obligated to make any advances under each agreement. Under each agreement, we can terminate, in whole or in part, amounts committed by the lenders in excess of any outstanding advances; however, we cannot reinstate any such terminated commitments. Under the multi-year agreement, we must maintain a debt-to-EBITDA ratio, including modifications described in the agreement, financial debt ratio of not more than three-to-one as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the four quarters then ended. Both agreements also contain a negative pledge covenant, which generally provides that if we pledge assets or permit liens on our property, then any advances must also be secured. At March 31,September 30, 2012, we had no advances outstanding under either agreement and were in compliance with all covenants under each agreement.

Other
Our total capital consists of debt (long-term debt and debt maturing within one year) and stockholders’ equity. Our capital structure does not include debt issued by América Móvil.vil or YP Holdings. At March 31,September 30, 2012, our debt ratio was 38.4%38.6%, compared to 36.6%38.5% at March 31,September 30, 2011, and 38.0% at December 31, 2011. The debt ratio is affected by the same factors that affect total capital, and reflects our recent debt issuances.

In October 2012, we filed an application with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for approval to contribute a preferred equity interest in our Mobility business to the trust used to pay pension benefits under plans sponsored by AT&T. The preferred interest does not have any voting rights, has a liquidation value of $8,000 and is entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions of $560 per annum. So long as we make the distributions, we will have no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend or repurchase shares.

At December 31, 2011, the present value of AT&T’s pension liabilities exceeded the fair value of trust assets by approximately $10,200. The preferred equity interest is estimated to be valued at $9,500 upon contribution and will significantly improve the funded status of the plans, enhancing the strength of the trust for AT&T’s employees and retirees. Prior to the contribution of the preferred interest, the estimated required contribution for 2013 is approximately $300. We will work with the DOL to obtain approval before the end of 2013.
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Dollars in millions except per share amounts

At March 31,September 30, 2012, we had interest rate swaps with a notional value of $7,800$3,000 and a fair value of $434.$306.

We have fixed-to-fixed cross-currency swaps on foreign-currency-denominated debt instruments with a U.S. dollar notional value of $7,502$9,481 to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivatives have been designated at inception and qualify as cash flow hedges with a net fair value of $(453)$(319) at March 31,September 30, 2012. We have foreign exchange contracts with a notional value of $208$122 and a net fair value of $(2)$(1) at March 31,September 30, 2012.

Item 4. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission’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 March 31,September 30, 2012. 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 March 31,September 30, 2012.


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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

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/or capital access changes in the markets served by us or in countries in which we have significant investments, including the impact on customer demand and our ability and our suppliers’ ability to access financial markets at favorable rates.
·  Changes in available technology and the effects of such changes, including product substitutions and deployment costs.
·  Increases in our benefit plans’ costs, including increases due to adverse changes in the U.S. and foreign securities markets, resulting in worse-than-assumed investment returns and discount rates and adverse medical cost trends and unfavorable healthcare legislation, regulations or related court decisions.
·  The final outcome of FCC and other federal agency proceedings and reopenings of such proceedings and judicial reviews, if any, of such proceedings, including issues relating to access charges, intercarrier compensation, universal service, broadband deployment, E911 services, competition, net neutrality, unbundled loop and transport elements, availability of new spectrum from the FCC on fair and balanced terms, wireless license awards and renewals and wireless services, including data roaming agreements.agreements and spectrum allocation.
·  The final outcome of regulatory proceedings in the states in which we operate and reopenings of such proceedings and judicial reviews, if any, of such proceedings, including proceedings relating to Interconnection terms, access charges, universal service, unbundled network elements and resale and wholesale rates; broadband deployment including our U-verse services; net neutrality; performance measurement plans; service standards; and intercarrier and other traffic compensation.
·  Enactment of additional state, federal and/or foreign regulatory and tax laws and regulations pertaining to our subsidiaries and foreign investments, including laws and regulations that reduce our incentive to invest in our networks, resulting in lower revenue growth and/or higher operating costs.
·  Our ability to absorb revenue losses caused by increasing competition, including offerings that use alternative technologies (e.g., cable, wireless and VoIP) and our ability to maintain capital expenditures.
·  The extent of competition and the resulting pressure on customer and access line totals and wireline and wireless operating margins.
·  Our ability to develop attractive and profitable product/service offerings to offset increasing competition in our wireless and wireline markets.
·  The ability of our competitors to offer product/service offerings at lower prices due to lower cost structures and regulatory and legislative actions adverse to us, including state regulatory proceedings relating to unbundled network elements and nonregulation of comparable alternative technologies (e.g., VoIP).
·  The development of attractive and profitable U-verse service offerings; the extent to which regulatory, franchise fees and build-out requirements apply to this initiative; and the availability, cost and/or reliability of the various technologies and/or content required to provide such offerings.
·  Our continued ability to attract and offer a diverse portfolio of wireless devices, some on an exclusive basis.
·  The availability and cost of additional wireless spectrum and regulations and conditions relating to spectrum use, licensing, andobtaining 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, including patent and product safety claims by or against third parties.
·  The impact on our networks and business from major equipment failures; 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, natural disasters, pandemics, energy shortages, wars or terrorist attacks.
·  The issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting oversight bodies of new accounting standards or changes to existing standards.
·  The issuance by the Internal Revenue Service and/or state tax authorities of new tax regulations or changes to existing standards and actions by federal, state or local tax agencies and judicial authorities with respect to applying applicable tax laws and regulations and the resolution of disputes with any taxing jurisdictions.
·  Our ability to adequately fund our wireless operations, including payment for additional spectrum network upgrades and technological advancements.
·  Changes in our corporate strategies, such as changing network requirements or acquisitions and dispositions, which may require significant amounts of cash or stock, to respond to competition and regulatory, legislative and technological developments.
·  The uncertainty surrounding the January 2013 implementation of the Budget Control Act of 2011, and associated spending reductions; the expiration of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010; and the uncertainty as to whether  the United States will reach the debt ceiling prior to year-end may result in a significant reduction in government spending and reluctance of businesses and consumers to spend in general and on our products and services specifically, due to this fiscal uncertainty.

Readers are cautioned that other factors discussed in this report, although not enumerated here, also could materially affect our future earnings.
 
 
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AT&T INC.
MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Dollars in millions except per share amounts
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On March 29, 2012, attorneys in an investigation led by the California Attorney General’s Office informed the Company of claimed violations of California state hazardous waste statutes arising from the disposal of batteries, aerosol cans, and electronic waste at various California facilities. The Company is analyzing the claims while cooperating with investigators and implementing remedial measures where appropriate. At this time, it is possible that we could face civil penalties in excess of one hundred thousand dollars but not in an amount that would be material.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We discuss in our Annual Report on Form 10-K various risks that may materially affect our business. We use this section to update this discussion to reflect material developments since our Form 10-K was filed. For the first quarter 2012, there were no such material developments.The Risk Factor below has been updated since our Form 10-K was filed.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 
         
(c) A summary of our repurchases of common stock during the first quarter of 2012 is as follows:
         
 Period
 
(a)
 
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
 
(b)
 
 
Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)
 
(c)
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1
(d)
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs
         
January 1, 2012 January 31, 2012
  -  $-  -  300,000,000
February 1, 2012 February 29, 2012
  36,300,000   29.95  36,300,000 263,700,000
March 1, 2012 March 31, 2012
  31,400,000   31.17  31,400,000 232,300,000
 Total
  67,700,000 $ 30.52  67,700,000 
1In December 2010, we announced our stock repurchase plan, under which our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300 million shares of our common stock. The plan has no expiration date.
 
Equipment failures, natural disasters, computer hacking and terrorist attacks may materially adversely affect our operations.

Major equipment failures or natural disasters, including severe weather, computer hacking, terrorist acts or other breaches of network or IT security that affect our wireline and wireless networks, including telephone switching offices, microwave links, third-party owned local and long-distance networks on which we rely, our cell sites or other equipment, or our customer account support and information systems, could have a material adverse effect on our operations. While we have been subject to security breaches or cyber attacks, these did not result in a material adverse effect on our operations. Our inability to operate our wireline, wireless or customer-related support systems as a result of such events, even for a limited time period, could result in significant expenses, potential legal liability, a loss of customers or impair our ability to attract new customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  
          
(c) A summary of our repurchases of common stock during the third quarter of 2012 is as follows:
          
Period 
(a)
 
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
 
(b)
 
 
Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)
 
(c)
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
(d)
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs
          
July 1, 2012 - July 31, 2012  37,206,416  $ 36.81   37,206,416   419,327,635 
August 1, 2012 - August 31, 2012  22,242,480    37.00   22,242,480   397,085,155 
September 1, 2012 - September 30, 2012  41,601,200    37.45   41,601,200   355,483,955 
Total  101,050,096  $ 37.12   101,050,096   
In December 2010, we announced our stock repurchase plan, under which our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300 million shares of our common stock. The plan has no expiration date.
In July 2012, the Board authorized the repurchase of an additional 300 million shares. The plan has no expiration date.

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MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated by reference as exhibits hereto. Unless otherwise indicated, all exhibits so incorporated are from File No. 1-8610.

10Administrative Plan, amended and restated effective March 29, 2012
12Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32Section 1350 Certifications
101XBRL Instance Document


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SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements 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.

            
AT&T Inc.




May 4,November 2, 2012                                                                                                                                             /s/ John J. Stephens
                                                            John J. Stephens
                                                            Senior Executive Vice President
                                                                 and Chief Financial Officer


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