T · 8-K · 20261021PR000370
Copper Network Transition
AT&T INC. · 2026-10-21 · Importance 55 · Surprise 66 · No source text
AT&T expects Legacy service revenue to decline by more than 20% in 2026 and become immaterial by the end of 2029 as it decommissions its copper-based network. Legacy EBITDA is expected to turn negative after 2027 until the company substantially eliminates direct copper-network operating costs. Management’s strategy requires upgrading all customers in a geography before infrastructure decommissioning and removal of legacy fixed costs. Required approvals could delay the decommissioning program beyond 2029.
Key facts
- AT&T expects Legacy service revenue to decline 20%+ in 2026 and be immaterial by the end of 2029. source
- Legacy segment operating revenues for third-quarter 2026 were $1,519 million, down 24.5% year over year. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| revenue | negative | realized | -1.5% | Legacy segment operating revenues for third-quarter 2026 were $1,519 million, down 24.5% year over year. |
| revenue | negative | probable | — | AT&T expects Legacy service revenue to decline 20%+ in 2026 and be immaterial by the end of 2029. |
| revenue | negative | probable | — | AT&T expects Legacy service revenue to decline 20%+ in 2026 and be immaterial by the end of 2029. |