Stankey: BBB Act More Impactful Than 1996 Telecom Law
AT&T CEO Praises Trump, AT&T CEO John Stankey didn’t hold back during his company’s Q2 earnings call, calling the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” a game-changing piece of legislation. He claimed it surpasses even the landmark Telecommunications Act of 1996 in importance.
Stankey emphasized the renewed power of the Federal Communications Commission under Commissioner Brendan Carr, stating the FCC is “back in business.” According to the CEO, the bill opens a robust “pipeline of mid-band spectrum,” including the FCC-led auction of the upper C-band (3.98–4.2 GHz), which is vital for 5G expansion.
Support for American Workers and Telecom Innovation
Calling the bill “great policy for American workers,” Stankey highlighted how the BBB Act supports job creation, network upgrades, and competitive expansion. The legislation promises significant investments and regulatory relief, directly benefiting providers like AT&T.
Economic Uncertainty Lingers Over Tariffs
Despite legislative progress, Stankey addressed persistent economic concerns. He expressed frustration with lingering tariff uncertainties, admitting the situation has created hesitation in both consumer and business segments.
“We’re a small animal in a larger economy,” Stankey remarked. He added that AT&T and others are feeling the impact, especially as customers pull forward purchases in response to shifting tariff threats.
Immigration Impacts and Wireless Segment Growth
Stankey also pointed to immigration policy as a factor affecting the prepaid mobile market. While Verizon saw a slight loss in postpaid phone customers, AT&T outperformed expectations, adding 401,000 new postpaid phone lines — just under last year’s total.
The carrier’s net income jumped to $4.9 billion from $3.9 billion in Q2 2024, driven by strong wireless performance and solid prepaid momentum. Quarterly revenue reached $30.8 billion.
Wall Street Reacts with Skepticism
Despite the upbeat earnings call and robust numbers, AT&T’s stock dipped slightly by 0.24% to $27.35. Analysts cite market uncertainty and broader economic conditions for the lukewarm investor response.
Stankey’s vocal support for the BBB Act, however, signals a confident direction for AT&T’s future. As telecom giants navigate a changing regulatory and economic landscape, the company appears to be doubling down on policy-driven growth.
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