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Top 15 AT&T Competitors and Alternatives

Ava Abbott
November 14, 2022
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11 min read

AT&T is one of the largest telecommunications technology conglomerates in the US. Founded in 1983, the company is headquartered in Delaware. Moreover, AT&T is also a multinational holding business and has become one of the biggest mobile telephone service providers across the US and is also at the very top of the world in terms of revenue earnings. Initially, the company started as the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in the 19th century.

In later years, they changed the name to SBC communications and eventually, the organization rebranded itself into AT&T. Moreover, the telecommunications giant has had a monopoly over the country’s phone services throughout the 20th century, which is why it remains unbeaten both in terms of revenue and services.

In 2021, AT&T earned revenues amounting to $168.9 billion! [1]

Some of the Leading AT&T Competitors Worth Knowing About

1. Verizon

Year founded: 1983
Headquarter: New York, USA

When it comes to AT&T’s US-based competitors, Verizon is perhaps its biggest market rival and one of the best alternatives to AT&T. The company was founded 1983 under than name of Bell Atlantic Corporation and was eventually rebranded as Verizon.

However, the company has remained AT&T’s rival for almost half a century, but its market share still pales in comparison against AT&T. Moreover, in 2015, Verizon acquired AOL[1], further expanding its range of products and services.

In 2021, Verizon was able to make $95.3 billion in revenue [2], and while the company has a roster of different services, it’s main revenue generator is its telecommunications solutions. The company has up to 130,000 employees both in and outside of the US.

Image credit Leon Bredella on Unsplash

2. Vodafone

Year founded: 1984
Headquarter: Berkshire, UK

Vodafone is another multinational telecommunications conglomerate, based in the UK. The company operates in multiple continents such as Asia, Europe, Africa along with providing services in many parts of the United Kingdom. Moreover, the company was amongst the first ones to introduce 3G services in 2004 [3].

Vodafone collaborates with more 48 partner countries throughout the globe and it’s safe to say that it’s perhaps one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the world and viable alternative to AT&T.

In 2021, the company made $11 billion in annual revenue [4] and has more than 92,000 employees worldwide.

Image credit Fabian Albert on Unsplash

3. T-Moblie US

Year founded: 1999
Headquarter: Bellevue, Washington, USA

T-Mobile US is owned by Deutsche Telekom and is also a subsidiary of the SoftBank Group. The telecommunications business operates under T-Mobile and has a powerful presence in the US as well. The company’s US headquarters is located in Bellevue, Washington.

In the US, T-Mobile is hailed as the second largest wireless mobile carrier service after AT&T and has more than 104 million subscribers [5].

In 2021, the company earned more than $14.7 billion in revenue [6], however, it’s worth mentioning that T-Mobile doesn’t offer a comprehensive range of services compared to both AT&T and Verizon, but is still amongst one of the biggest AT&T competitors.

4. Comcast

Year founded: 1963
Headquarter: Pennsylvania, USA

Founded in 1963, Comcast was established as a cable operating network that amassed more than 12,000 subscribers in Mississippi. At the time, the company only had 5 channels. After a reincorporation in 1969, the company was rebranded as the Comcast Corporation.

And between the early 90’s and throughout the 2000’s, Comcast grew and expanded. The company has more than 18 million TV subscribers [7]. As per the company’s 2021 financial reports, it earned over $116 billion and has more than 190,000 employees throughout the US. [8]

5. COX

Year founded: 1898
Headquarter: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Cox Communication Inc. is another telecommunications leader in the US and an alternative to AT&T. Formerly known as the Cox Broadcasting Corporation, it’s one of the biggest digital cable TV operators in the country.

The organization also offers a dearth of services including home automation and telecommunications solutions. Cox has a total of 6.5 million customers across the US [9]. The company earned $2.87 billion in revenue in 2021 and has more than 20,000 across the US. [10]

6. Cricket Wireless

Year founded: 1999
Headquarter: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Founded in 1999 in Chicago, Cricket Wireless can be considered a new entrant competing with AT&T. The telecommunications business has more than 10 million customers across the US and is rather a reputed wireless telecom provider in the country. However, it’s worth mentioning the Cricket Wireless essentially competes with AT&T along with Verizon. 

But what’s even more interesting is that along with being one of AT&T competitors, the company is also the telecommunication giant’s subsidiaries. Cricket Wireless generated $11 million in revenue in 2021 [11] and has more than 220 employees in the US.

7. Deutsche Telekom

Year founded: 1995
Headquarter: Bonn, Germany

When you talk about global competitors, Deutsche Telekom has a powerful presence outside of the US and is considered as one of the primary AT&T competitors. Moreover, T-Mobile US is also owned by Deutsche Telekom, which basically operates in the US market.

The organization was founded in 1995, in Germany and apart from telecommunications and mobile services, the company has several other subsidiaries across the globe. The company has 168 million subscribers across Europe and other parts of the world [12].

In 2021, Deutsche Telekom earned revenues amounting to €108.8 billion and have 216,000 employees across the world [13]. While the company’s primary revenue generator are its telecommunication services, they do offer several other services such as broadband solutions, digital media, and IT.

8. Telefonica

Year founded: 1924
Headquarter: Madrid, Spain

Established in 1924, Telefonica is a Spanish telecommunications giant, the largest in the country. However, Telefonica is also the biggest provider of mobile telecom solutions throughout the globe. The company has more than 113,000 employees worldwide and made a net revenue of €9.3 million in 2021 [14].

Some of its most profitable services include subscription TV, telephony, and broadband. Telefonica a great alternative to AT&T outside of the US.

Moreover, the conglomerate also has a global presence with a big chunk of the market share in the industry across multiple continents such as Asia, America, and Europe. Some of the most popular brands Telefonica owns include O2 and Vivo. Moreover, the company has 8.5 million TV subscribers across the globe. [15]

9. Orange

Year founded: 1988
Headquarter: Paris, France

Also known as Orange SA – it’s a French telecommunications giant and is ranked 11th in terms of being one of the biggest mobile network services provider throughout the globe.

Despite having fierce competition in the European markets, the company has more than 266 million subscribers across the world. Moreover, the company has more than 34 million mobile network customers. [16]

Orange made more than $50 billion in revenue according to the company’s 2021 revenue [17]. Some of its most profitable services include digital media, wireless broadband, internet banking, and telephony.

10. América Móvil

Year founded: 2000
Headquarter: Mexico City, Mexico

A Mexican company, America Movil is headquartered in Mexico City and when you talk about equity subscribers, America Movil is ranked as the 7th biggest in the world. Plus the company has 287 million customers across Mexico and other parts of the world. [18]

 In 2021, the company made more than $53 billion in revenue and has more than 189,000 employees [19]. The company offers a variety of services in different market segments.

Some of America Movil’s most profitable products and services include broadband, wireless internet, telephony, mobile services, digital TV, and digital media. Although the company doesn’t operate in the US, it is still one of the most prominent AT&T competitors.

11. China Mobile

Year founded: 1997
Headquarter: China

China Mobile is another telecommunications giant operating outside of the US and is the biggest company telecommunications company in China. The company was founded in 1997 and is a multinational conglomerate, offering services in various parts of the country including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. Moreover, the company has more than 730 million 5G customers. [20]

The company earned more than $32 billion in revenue in 2021 and has over 454,332 employees across multiple destinations [21].

Despite the differences in human resources and powerful revenue streams, the company does compete with AT&T in different sectors and can be a good alternative to AT&T outside of US markets.

12. Reliance Jio

Year founded: 2007
Headquarter: Mumbai, India

Reliance Jio is also a relatively new entrant in the telecommunications stratosphere. Founded in 2007, in India, the company made more than $902 billion rupees in revenue in 2021 [22].

Moreover, the company has more than 415 million subscribers in India [23]. The company has a dynamic range of products including broadband, mobile services, wireless broadband, and much more.

Reliance Jio is India’s biggest telecommunications company and in terms of customer-count, the company is the second largest throughout the globe. In addition, India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, has also invested millions in the company.

13. Singtel

Year founded: 1992
Headquarter: Singapore

A Singaporean company, Singtel was founded in 1992 and is the country’s largest telecommunications provider. Another alternative to AT&T, a significant portion of the company is owned by the federal government, Singtel operates in multiple countries in the Middle East, Asia, the US, and Europe and has more than 744 million customers [24].

Some of its most profitable products and services include managed IT and cloud infrastructure, wireless broadband, and mobile carrier solutions.

In FY22, Singtel earned S$7,653 million in revenue and had 25,000 employees across the globe. [25]

14. KDDI

Year founded: 2000
Headquarter: Tokyo, Japan

Established in 2000, KDDI is a Japanese telecommunications company headquartered in Tokyo. The company provides ISP network services, wireless broadband services, and mobile carrier solutions. The company more than 60 million subscribers in Japan and other parts of the world [26].

Moreover, KDDI also offers seamless data and voice communication solutions for small and big businesses throughout Japan and some of it most renowned and profitable brands include ADSL One, Au Hikari, and Metal Plus.

According to the company’s 2021 financial report, it earned revenue of 5.3 trillion Japanese yen and had more than 41,000 employees. [27]

15. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation

Year founded: 1952
Headquarter: Tokyo, Japan

Also known as NTT in short, it’s a Japanese telecommunications company that was established in 1952. Since its inception, NTT remained as Japan’s only telecommunications provider. And eventually, in 1987, the company was reincorporated and operated under a state-wide monopoly. Moreover, the company has more than 22 million subscribers. [28]

 However, since the organization’s privatization, the federal government still maintains a one-third shareholding majority. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation provides a dearth of profitable solutions including international communications services, digital media, mobile carrier services, and is an excellent alternative to AT&T.

According to the company’s 2021 financial report, it earned more than $104 billion and has more than 319,000 employees. [29]

Bottom Line

So, there you have it – an interesting and comprehensive list of some of the best AT&T competitors in the US and beyond.

 References & more information

  1. d more than $14.7 billion in reveMarc Wojno, January 26, 2022, Zdnet.com
  2. Verizon-AOL acquisition, Wikipedia.com
  3. Verizon 4th Quarter Earnings, Verizon.com
  4. Mark Kelly, Amazing Mobile Facts, LinkedIn.com
  5. Vodafone Group Revenue, S. O’Dea (January, 2022), Statista.com
  6. T-Mobile US – Statistics, Statista.com
  7. T-Mobile Q3-Q4 Revenue Analysis (November, 2022), T-Mobile.com
  8. Comcast TV Subscriptions, (November, 2021), TheMotleyFool.com
  9. Comcast 2021 Q4 Revenue Analysis, (January, 2022), Cmcsa.com
  10. Cox Communication Fact Sheet, Cox.com
  11. D&B Business Directory, Cox Communications, Dnb.com
  12. Cricket Wireless, Q4 2021 Revenue, Zippia.com
  13. Deutsche Telekom Q4 2021 Revenue Analysis, Expandedramblings.com
  14. Deutsche Telekom’s Global Revenue, (S. O’Dea, February, 2022), Statista.com
  15. Telefonica Record Net Income, (November 2021), Telefonica.com
  16.  Telefónica – Statistics, (S. O’Dea, February, 2022), Statista.com
  17. Orange Worldwide Subscriber Stats, (S. O’Dea, April, 2021), Statista.com
  18. Orange Revenue 2010-2021, Macrotrends.com
  19. America Movil Triples Quarterly Revenue, (February, 2022), Reuters.com
  20. America Movil 2010-2021 Revenue, Macrotrends.com
  21. China Mobile’s 730 Million 5G Customers in 2021, (January 2022), Telecompaper.com
  22. China Mobile Financial Data 2021, ChinaMobileLtd.com
  23. Reliance Jio Revenue Analysis 2019-2021, (Shangliao Sun, November, 2021), Statista.com
  24. Reliance Jio Mobile Subscribers, (Press Trust of India, February, 2022), BusinessStandard.com
  25. Singtel Investor Fact Sheet 2021, Singtel.com
  26. Singtel Revenue Analysis Report (November, 2021), Singtel.com
  27. KDDI Mobile Phone Subscriptions Report 2013-2021 (December 2021), Statista.com
  28. KDDI Operating Revenue Report 2012-2021, (December, 2021), Statista.com
  29. NTT’s Hikari Subscription Report, (December 2021), Statista.com
  30. NTT Revenue Report, Companiesmarketcap.com
  31. Featured Image by David Arrowsmith
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Ava Abbott

She is a data scientist and serial marketer, she brings a unique analytical perspective and extensive knowledge in marketing from her years of experience working for tech giants and starts ups.

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