By Dan Jones; Light Reading ~ Jan 22, 2019

AT&T is highlighting “three pillars” of its 5G strategy design as a “toolbox” to help businesses adopt the new technology.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) says that fixed wireless, edge computing and its newly announced nationwide 5G network are the initial pillars for a corporate 5G strategy. The operator says that it will cater for a broad diversity of enterprise needs — from connecting a single location to connecting smart facilities with technologies like AI — with its 5G business strategy. (See AT&T’s New Nationwide, Mobile 5G Timeline.)

By Dan Jones; Light Reading ~ Jan 18, 2019

AT&T says it is intending to have a Samsung smartphone available to support its new low-band 5G network in the second half of 2019 as it announces support for those frequencies in some US markets.

On December 9, the operator announced that it would widely supplement its existing (and expanding) millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G Mobile service with a low-band service — using unnamed frequencies — in the second half of this year. (See AT&T’s New Nationwide, Mobile 5G Timeline and 5G in the USA: A Post-CES Update.)

From Joe Baker; Forbes ~ Jan 14, 2019

 Medicare costs change each year, so if you’re 65 or older, it’s important to understand and review your benefits for the upcoming year. Some new rules affect the cost of prescription drugs covered under Part D (Medicare’s prescription drug benefit) and change the times when you can revise your Medicare health and drug coverage.

Medicare Premiums and Deductibles in 2019

Medicare premiums and deductibles have risen a bit since 2018.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility services, home health care and hospice, and people who have worked for more than 10 years — about 99% of Medicare beneficiaries — generally do not need to pay a premium. If you have worked between 7 ½  and 10 years, your Part A premium will increase to $240 per month in 2019, and if you have worked fewer than 7 ½  years, your Part A premium will be $437 per month.

By Dan Jones; Light Reading ~ Dec 21, 2018

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)’s first 5G mobile network is now online in 12 cities in the US.

As I reported on Tuesday (December 18), the network will initially be available in parts of 12 cities in the US. At first, AT&T is offering its Netgear Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR) Nighthawk 5G hotspot, for free with 90 days of free data, but only for select businesses in the 5G coverage areas. (See AT&T’s 5G Switches On in 12 US Cities, but Only for ‘Early Adopters’.)

By Jeff Baumgartner; Light Reading ~ Dec 17, 2018

The launch of AT&T’s set of subscription VoD services is about a year away, yet the company has already stumbled badly, according to one top industry analyst.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)’s “decision to create three new alternative DTC [direct-to-consumer] products while continuing to license content to third parties is a major strategic error,” Michael Nathanson, analyst with MoffettNathanson LLC , argued in a recent report that sizes up the SVoD sector heading into 2019 amid the relatively recent flurry of massive M&A moves.

From “News Wire Feed”; Light Reading ~ Dec 13, 2018

DALLAS — To continue to improve how our customers connect, AT&T launched ultra-fast internet in parts of 12 new metro areas.1 Our 100% fiber network powered by AT&T Fiber is now in parts of these new metros:

From “News Wire Feed”; Light Reading ~ Dec 13, 2018

Cheddar, the leading post-cable networks company, is beginning rollout across AT&T video platforms DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and U-verse TV.

“AT&T operates one of the largest and best video platforms in the world, and we are thrilled to be available to their subscribers – whether it’s in their home or on-the-go,” said Jon Steinberg, Founder and CEO of Cheddar.

AT&T, represented by Sidley Austin partner Peter Keisler, defended the Washington trial judge’s ruling and argued the Justice Department’s case was based on flimsy economic modeling.

By C. Ryan Barber; The National Law Journal ~ Dec 06, 2018

Six months after failing to block AT&T’s merger with Time Warner, the Justice Department urged a Washington federal appeals court Thursday to undo the multibillion-dollar merger deal, arguing that the combination creates a telecom giant with near-unbridled bargaining power.

Panel to decide whether a trial judge was correct to bless the merger

By Brent Kendall; The Wall Street Journal ~ Dec 05, 2018

WASHINGTON—The second run of United States v. AT&T Inc., T -3.09% the blockbuster antitrust fight over the telecom giant’s acquisition of Time Warner, opens on a new stage Thursday as an appeals court considers whether a blunt-spoken trial judge was correct to bless the merger.

By Tae Kim; Barron’s ~ Dec 03, 2018

Two Wall Street analysts believe AT&T stock is due for a turnaround after its big drop so far this year.

On Friday, AT&T stock rose 2.2% a day after the company assured financial analysts that it would maintain its dividend and use its excess cash to lower its debt load.

The company’s shares rallied 1.7% to $31.77 on Monday, but are still down about 18% year to date.