One of the best ways to develop a picture of any company is with a SWOT analysis -- a look at a company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Today, courtesy of WikiSWOT.com, we'll focus on AT&T
Strengths
- Largest provider of broadband in U.S.
- World's largest communications holding company by revenue.
- Broad portfolio of complementary products and services (wireless communications, local exchange services, long-distance services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, telecommunications equipment, managed networking, wholesale services, and directory advertising and publishing).
- Extremely capable network capacity, both physical (fiber optics) and wireless (including a growing 3G network).
- AT&T Wireless exclusivity with Apple's
(Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone.
Weaknesses
- Increasingly more price-competitive market in both retail and wholesale markets.
- Company obligations and liabilities from old business unit spin-offs.
- Balance sheet -- company more leveraged than competitors within the industry.
Opportunities
- Further industry consolidation (acquisitions).
- Wireless growth, particularly through its partnership with Apple/iPhone.
- Emerging markets/global expansion.
- Further industry growth with 4G technology.
Threats
- Increasingly ferocious competition in the wireless arena.
- Emerging technologies -- falling behind smaller, more nimble companies and operators.
- Price competition within industry pressuring margins.
- Weather damage to antennas and transmission lines.
- Reliance on iPhone gives Apple an upper hand in brand visibility.
What parts of AT&T's SWOT need more detail? Please improve this SWOT analysis by visiting WikiSWOT.com.