AT&T delivered exceptional broadband growth during the first quarter of 2026, adding a record number of customers to its high-speed internet services through a balanced expansion of fiber and 5G-based fixed wireless offerings. The telecommunications giant reported total Advanced Connectivity internet net additions of 584,000 for the quarter. This figure broke down evenly between approximately 292,000 fiber net additions and 292,000 fixed wireless net additions delivered via AT&T Internet Air over the company’s 5G network. This all comes as AT&T plans to shut down its DSL and traditional phone service, moving customers to 5G Home Internet and fiber.
AT&T delivered exceptional broadband growth during the first quarter of 2026, adding a record number of customers to its high-speed internet services through a balanced expansion of fiber and 5G-based fixed wireless offerings. The telecommunications giant reported total Advanced Connectivity internet net additions of 584,000 for the quarter. This figure broke down evenly between approximately 292,000 fiber net additions and 292,000 fixed wireless net additions delivered via AT&T Internet Air over the company’s 5G network.
Fiber operations continued to serve as a primary growth driver for AT&T. The company now passes more than 37 million consumer and business locations with its fiber network, a significant increase that incorporates over 4 million locations gained through the Lumen transaction completed in early February 2026. Management remains on track to exceed 40 million fiber locations by the end of 2026 and aims for more than 60 million by 2030. This expansion supports higher average revenue per user through premium speed tiers and improved customer retention. Convergence plays a key role in these gains, with 42 percent of households subscribing to AT&T advanced home internet services also choosing AT&T wireless offerings. When excluding acquired fiber customers, the convergence rate approaches 45 percent, reflecting a year-over-year increase of more than 3 percentage points and the fastest organic growth rate observed to date.
AT&T Internet Air, the fixed wireless broadband product powered by the company’s 5G network, demonstrated complementary strength by nearly matching fiber additions in the quarter. The service benefits from ongoing network enhancements, including additional mid-band spectrum deployments that allow AT&T to activate service in more locations. Fixed wireless provides a faster deployment option in areas where fiber buildouts are still progressing, enabling the company to address demand across urban, suburban, and rural markets. This balanced approach helps AT&T compete effectively against cable providers while minimizing customer churn through bundled offerings.
The broadband momentum contributed to broader financial improvements in the first quarter. Consolidated revenues totaled 31.5 billion dollars, representing a 2.9 percent increase from the prior year. Advanced Connectivity service revenue reached 22.9 billion dollars, up 3.6 percent year over year, while Advanced Connectivity operating income rose 14.8 percent to 6.9 billion dollars and EBITDA climbed 5.6 percent to 11.6 billion dollars. Adjusted EBITDA for the company stood at 11.8 billion dollars, and free cash flow amounted to 2.5 billion dollars. Capital investments increased to 5.1 billion dollars, reflecting continued spending on fiber deployment and network modernization. AT&T also repurchased approximately 2.3 billion dollars in common shares during the period.
These results align with AT&T’s updated segment reporting structure introduced in 2026, which separates Advanced Connectivity—encompassing domestic 5G and fiber services—from legacy operations. The company reiterated its full-year 2026 guidance, expecting Advanced Connectivity service revenue growth of more than 5 percent and EBITDA growth of more than 6 percent. Longer-term projections call for advanced home internet revenue to expand organically at a strong pace through 2028, supported by a multi-year commitment exceeding 250 billion dollars in fiber, 5G, and related infrastructure investments.
Analysts noted that the first-quarter broadband additions exceeded typical seasonal expectations for the period, reinforcing confidence in AT&T’s ability to sustain momentum. The combination of fiber’s high-margin, low-latency performance and 5G fixed wireless’s rapid scalability positions the company favorably in a competitive broadband landscape. Lower churn rates among converged customers further enhance lifetime value and stabilize revenue streams.
AT&T’s strategy emphasizes customer-centric improvements, including network reliability guarantees and simplified bundling options that integrate home internet with mobility services. As the integration of acquired fiber assets progresses, the company anticipates additional opportunities to accelerate customer growth and expand market share. With fiber and 5G home internet now forming the core of its connectivity portfolio, AT&T continues to invest in scaling these services to meet rising demand for reliable, high-speed internet across the United States.
Overall, the first quarter of 2026 highlighted AT&T’s progress in transforming its business toward advanced connectivity, delivering substantial customer gains in both fiber and 5G-based home internet while laying the foundation for sustained growth in the years ahead. The company’s focus on convergence and network expansion is expected to drive further market share gains as more households transition to these modern broadband solutions.
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