AT&T Earnings Beat. CEO Stankey: Starlink Deal Not Needed At All

AT&T stock gained following second-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street estimates, though revenue missed expectations for the second consecutive quarter. The telecom giant reported wireless postpaid phone subscriber additions above analyst forecasts, a key metric for carrier growth momentum.

CEO John Stankey directly addressed competition from satellite providers, stating the company does not need a Starlink partnership. The comment comes as SpaceX's satellite internet service expands its direct-to-cell capabilities, raising questions about traditional carriers' long-term positioning in underserved areas.

The revenue miss marks back-to-back quarters of top-line shortfalls despite stronger operational metrics in subscriber growth. T stock rose on the print, suggesting investors prioritized the beat on earnings and wireless net adds over the revenue gap.