AT&T has shuffled its management, revealing a new approach that recognizes that wireline and wireless services are becoming so intertwined that they need to be considered together.
AT&T will reorganize into four divisions: consumer, business, infrastructure and diversified businesses.
AT&T made it clear which side of its business is driving the convergence of wireline and wireless by putting its former wireless chief Ralph de la Vega in charge of all consumer offerings.
As CEO of consumer markets, de la Vega will have responsibility for landline phone, high-speed data and TV, including U-verse.
AT&T has said that it has already begun entering content licensing deals that give it the right to distribute the same content on U-Verse TV, wireless phones, and on PCs via its high-speed data services.
John Stankey, previously in charge of AT&T’s consumer wireline business, will be CEO of AT&T operations, focusing on infrastructure, network planning and engineering. He will have responsibility for AT&T Labs.
Ron Spears will continue to run AT&T’s business group, though with the new title of CEO of AT&T business solutions. He assumes responsibility for corporate wireless accounts.
Ray Wilkins will continue to be responsible for AT&T’s online and paper yellow pages, as well as the company’s international investments, among other things, but with the new title of CEO of diversified businesses.
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