[NEWS] AT&T’s CEO of Communications, John Donovan, to retire in October – Loganspace

John Donovan, CEO of AT&T Communications,introducedthis day his plans to retire efficient October 1, 2019. Donovan has for the past two years led AT&T’s biggest industry unit, which products and services 100 million cellular, broadband and pay-TV prospects within the U.S., as effectively as hundreds of hundreds of industry prospects, alongside side almost the full Fortune 1000.

The knowledge comes amid lots of colossal changes in that industry unit itself, and more within the broader telecom industry.

For starters, AT&T hadcorrect rebrandedits over-the-top streaming carrier DIRECTV NOW to AT&T TV NOW, and correct remaining week rolled out a rate-unique TV carrier, AT&T TV, in 10 test markets.

Whereas DIRECTV NOW (aka AT&T TV NOW) is supposed to compete with utterly different over-the-top streaming products and services esteem Dish’s Sling TV, Hulu with Are living TV, YouTube TV and others, the unique AT&T TV is a more mild — though serene “over-the-top” — option that can work with any broadband connection.

On the other hand, itlocks in prospectsto 2-yr contracts, requires a put of residing-top field and has packages that differ from $60-$80 monthly, extra special esteem a delicate TV subscription.

In other places at AT&T, its WarnerMedia division is working a streaming carrier of its bear,HBO Max,which is supposed to fight more straight with top rate choices, esteem Disney or Apple TV , as an illustration. AT&T additionally operates a low-rate streaming carrier, Gaze TV.

And the firm continues to offer pay-TV choices esteem DIRECTV (satellite carrier) and U-verse (cable).

It appears to be like AT&T is thanks to consolidate these efforts within the future, and Donovan’s departure would possibly per chance per chance doubtless signal some changes on that entrance, perhaps. Plus,as The WSJ reported, Donovan and WarnerMedia head John Stankey had a strained relationship now and then. That will perhaps doubtless as a outcome of HBO Max will live up competing with utterly different AT&T choices and products and services, the document urged.

As effectively as to its diversified streaming ambitions,AT&T is additionally initiating to roll out 5G,a switch Donovan spearheaded. The firm is additionally preparing for opponents from unique avid gamers, alongside side what arises froma T-Mobile/Flee merger,and fromDish’s plansto enter the wi-fi market.

Donovan had been CEO of AT&T Communications for 2 years, after having joined the firm as CTO in 2008. Sooner than his CEO role initiating in July 2017, he had been promoted to AT&T’s chief plan officer and neighborhood president — AT&T Technology and Operations.

He beforehand worked at Verisign, Deloitte Consulting and InCode Telecom Group.

Donovan, 58, was nearing the firm’s retirement age of 60, but his departure was serene unexpected, The WSJ additionally acknowledged.

“It’s been my honor to lead AT&T Communications all the way in which via a duration of unheard of innovation and investment in unique technology that is revolutionizing how people join with their worlds,” acknowledged John Donovan, in a statement. “All that we’ve finished is a credit to the talented ladies and men of AT&T, and their ardour for serving our prospects. I’m taking a predict the future – spending more time with my family and searching at with delight because the AT&T team continues to position of abode the ride for the industry.”

“JD is a crucial leader and a tech visionary who helped force AT&T’s leadership in connecting prospects, from our 5G, fiber and FirstNet buildouts, to unique products and platforms, to setting the enviornment common for machine-outlined networks,” added Randall Stephenson, AT&T’s chairman and CEO. “He led the manner in encouraging his team to constantly innovate and form their means sets for the future. We vastly love his many contributions to our firm’s success and his untiring dedication to serving prospects and making our communities greater. JD is a apt friend, and I wish him and his family the full totally within the years ahead.”

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