Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements Disclosure [Abstract]

Preparation Of Interim Financial Statements

NOTE 1. PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation Throughout this document, AT&T Inc. is referred to as “AT&T,” “we” or the “Company.” We believe that these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, that are necessary to present fairly the results for the presented interim periods. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year. You should read this document in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. On March 13, 2014, we closed our acquisition of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (Leap)(see Note 7), and we incorporated them into our wireless operations following the date of acquisition.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our majority-owned subsidiaries and affiliates. Our subsidiaries and affiliates operate in the communications services industry both domestically and internationally, providing wireless communications services, traditional wirelinevoice services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking and wholesale services.

All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Investments in partnerships and less than majority-owned subsidiaries where we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Earnings from certain foreign equity investments accounted for using the equity method are included for periods ended within up to one month of our period end. We also record our proportionate share of our equity method investees' other comprehensive income (OCI) items, including actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

Equipment Installment PlanUnder our AT&T NextSM(AT&T Next) program, we offer our customers the option to purchase certain devices in installments over a period of up to 26 months. Additionally, after a specified period of time they also have the right to trade in the original device for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance satisfied. For customers that elect these trade-in programs, we recognize revenue at the point of sale for the entire amount of the customer receivable, net of the fair value of the trade-in right guarantee and imputed interest. As of March 31, 2014, total equipment installment plan receivables of $2,447were included on our consolidated balance sheets.

Stock Repurchase Program During the first quarter of 2014, we had repurchased approximately37 million shares totaling$1,237 under a repurchase authorization that was approved by our Board of Directors in March 2013.In March 2014, our Board of Directors approved another authorization to repurchase 300 million shares of our common stock. At March 31, 2014, we had 425 million shares remaining under these authorizations. The repurchase authorizations have no expiration date, and we expect to make future repurchases opportunistically.