AT&T T

Founded in 1885 by Alexander Graham Bell, AT&T has been in the business of connecting people long before texting was a twinkle in Silicon Valley’s eye. Originally known for monopolizing the telephone industry with a near-legendary grip, it made headlines in 1984 when it was split into Baby Bells by the U.S. government—only to reassemble itself as a behemoth in 2005. Today, with a valuation around $120 billion, AT&T has ventured beyond mere wires into the realm of media and entertainment, acquiring WarnerMedia and dabbling in streaming with “HBO Max.” The company’s history is as colorful as its controversies, from its failed merger with T-Mobile to ongoing battles over net neutrality. Under CEO John Stankey, AT&T continues to juggle its telecom empire with an ever-expanding media portfolio, all while trying to stay ahead in the cutthroat digital age.