Observed Signal · Oct 21, 2026 · Earnings Report · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
AT&T adds record 769K internet customers in Q3 2026
AT&T reported a record quarter for internet subscriber growth, adding 769,000 total consumer and business Advanced Connectivity internet net customers in Q3 2026. The gains were driven by 442,000 fiber additions and 327,000 fixed wireless additions (5G Home Internet), marking the company's strongest internet net-add performance. As of September 30, 2026, AT&T's total internet connections reached 16.248 million, including 13.310 million fiber and 2.938 million fixed wireless. Fiber network reach exceeded 39 million locations, on track to surpass 40 million by end of 2026. Advanced Home Internet revenue rose 23.4% year-over-year to $2.975 billion. The company raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS outlook and continues to target mid-single-digit growth in Advanced Connectivity service revenue, supported by fiber expansion and fixed wireless adoption.
AT&T's record internet subscriber growth signals continued shift of consumers from traditional cable TV to fiber and fixed wireless broadband, impacting how media is distributed and consumed, which is relevant for AdTech in terms of streaming and over-the-top services.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- AT&T added 769,000 net internet customers in Q3 2026, a record.
- Growth driven by 442,000 fiber additions and 327,000 fixed wireless additions.
- Total internet connections reached 16.248 million as of Sept 30, 2026.
- Fiber network reach exceeded 39 million locations, aiming for 40 million by end of 2026.
- Advanced Home Internet revenue rose 23.4% YoY to $2.975 billion.
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AT&T Adds 646,000 Internet Customers in Q2 2026
AT&T reported strong second-quarter 2026 results driven by home internet growth, adding 367,000 fiber customers and 279,000 5G Home Internet (AT&T Internet Air) subscribers for a total of 646,000 net additions across consumer and business advanced connectivity services. Advanced connectivity revenue rose to $23.5 billion (up 5.1% YoY) with operating income of $7.3 billion and EBITDA of $12.0 billion. AT&T passed an additional 1 million fiber locations during the quarter, bringing its total fiber passings to 38.6 million and targeting more than 40 million by the end of 2026 and 60 million by 2030. The company also added 432,000 postpaid phone subscribers; consolidated revenue was $31.6 billion, adjusted EPS $0.65, and free cash flow $4.7 billion. The company reiterated full-year 2026 guidance and plans for accelerated share repurchases.
T-Mobile Adds 500k+ 5G Home Internet Customers in Q1 2026
T-Mobile reported strong Q1 2026 results, adding more than 500,000 net broadband customers driven by growth in its 5G Home Internet and fiber services. The carrier recorded 217,000 postpaid net account additions, service revenues of $18.8 billion and core adjusted EBITDA of $9.24 billion for the quarter; postpaid ARPA rose to $151.93. Management raised full-year guidance for postpaid net additions, core adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. T-Mobile said its 5G Home Internet performance—backed by network enhancements, competitive pricing and straightforward setup—helped capture share from legacy cable providers while targeting roughly 15 million 5G broadband customers by 2030 and expanding fiber through joint ventures. Comcast and Charter’s Spectrum were reported to have lost internet customers during the same period.
5G and Fiber Add 1M+ Broadband Customers in Q1 2026
In Q1 2026 U.S. broadband shifted toward 5G fixed wireless and fiber as providers using those technologies added over one million net customers while major cable operators lost subscribers. T-Mobile added more than 500,000 broadband customers across 5G home and fiber; AT&T recorded about 584,000 net additions (roughly 292,000 5G home and 292,000 fiber) and said its fiber passed more than 37 million locations; Verizon added 341,000 internet customers driven by fiber and fixed wireless. Comcast and Charter (Spectrum) together lost nearly 185,000 internet customers in the quarter (Comcast –65,000; Spectrum –120,000). The article frames this as a renewed wave of cord-cutting—“Cord Cutting 2.0”—with consumers prioritizing standalone internet (5G/fiber) over legacy cable bundles.
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