AT&T Makes Leadership Changes

Source: RTTNews

Telecom giant AT&T Inc. is realigning its management and broadening the role of its wireless chief Ralph de la Vega to be in charge of all consumer offerings, in an attempt to better coordinate its landline and mobile services marketing to compete with its telecom and cable rivals, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

The realignment is part of AT&T's continuing efforts to connect its broadband, TV, and mobile services more closely.

Citing an AT&T spokesman, WSJ said that the Dallas, Texas-based company will be organized into four divisions, namely, consumer, business, infrastructure, and diversified businesses.

Vega, in addition to being the chief executive of the company's wireless unit, will get a much broader role in the new Consumer Markets division with responsibility over landline phone, Internet, and TV service. He will oversee mobility as well as all consumer wireline services, including the new U-Verse TV offering and all of its consumer broadband products.

The new Business unit will be headed by Ronald Spears, who has served as group president of a unit focused on sales to large enterprises. He will also reportedly handle all corporate wireless sales.

In addition, John Stankey will become chief executive of the newly formed Infrastructure division and Ray Wilkins will continue as the chief executive officer of the Diversified Businesses unit. All of the executives would report directly to Randall Stephenson, who continues as chairman and chief executive officer.

T closed Tuesday's regular trading on NYSE at $27.92, up $0.17, with a volume of 45.95 million shares.