AT&T CEO says, networks are performing well

AT&T Chief said that the work from home is bringing big changes to his network, though it’s holding up well.

CEO Randall Stephenson said that Dallas Telecommunications and Media company has seen a jump of 40% in mobile volume as WiFi calling volumes have doubled.

“We are seeing some signs of stress,” Stephenson said. “We’re having to go out and do some augmentation of networks. And so we’re sending our employees out to get that done. But right now the network is performing quite well.”

AT&T is on the front lines of the changing U.S. economy amid concerns about COVID-19. More and more employees are working from home as they try to minimize social interaction in a variety of industries.

Stephenson said billions of dollars that has been spent by the industry is paying off as the networks are performing.  

“This is really an indication that the United States has led the world in investments and communications infrastructure — not just us — Verizon and T-Mobile,” he said. “We’re seeing it pay off during a time of national crisis like this.”

The company itself has been shaking up procedures and policies that would have been surprising just a few weeks ago. That mean stores closures, sending some of its own employees home to work and nixing stock buybacks.

That includes waiving domestic wireless plan overage charges for data, voice or text for residential or small business customers. Also, it’s not ending service for wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customers because of an inability to pay because of the coronavirus.

During the presentation on CNN, Stephenson said that business leaders are looking at the coronavirus as they would a time of war.

“Everybody needs to step up and do their part, in terms of how we help the general population and the general public,” Stephenson said during his time on CNN, according to a story on its website.