AT&T TIMELINE

AT&T, originally the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., was created in 1885 as a subsidiary of American Bell, co-founded by Alexander Graham Bell. 1899 American Telephone and Telegraph, an American Bell subsidiary, acquires its assets and becomes parent company of Bell System.

1962 AT&T launches Telstar I, the first commercial communications satellite, adding to its copper wire and microwave transmission capabilities.

1984 Regional Bell operating companies or “Baby Bells” created when AT&T agrees to become long distance company and get out of local service in settlement of U.S. antitrust suit.

1994 AT&T Wireless created after acquisition of McCaw Cellular.

1998 AT&T gets back into local telephone business — in wake of 1996 Telecom Act — with acquisition of local business telephone provider TCG. Also expands global reach with acquisition of IBM Global Network.

1998 AT&T merges with TCI in $48 billion deal, forming the nation’s second-largest cable company. Two years later, it acquires MediaOne and becomes AT&T Broadband. 2002 AT&T Broadband merges with Comcast. 2005 Southwestern Bell Corp., one of the Baby Bells, acquires AT&T for $16 billion and takes the AT&T name. 2013 AT&T buys Leap Wireless for $1.2 billion and closes deal for NextWave Wireless.

2014 With The Chernin Group, AT&T forms Otter Media with a $500 million commitment to invest in streaming video. It buys a majority stake in YouTube network Fullscreen. 2015 AT&T acquires satellite TV service DirecTV for $48.5 billion. 2016 AT&T completes acquisition of QuickPlay Media, a streaming video tech company that delivers over-the-top video and TV Everywhere.