Robert Holmes
AT&T (T Quote - Cramer on T - Stock Picks) will reorganize its internal structure into four units to better compete with its telecom and cable rivals.
The telecom giant said Tuesday that it will reshuffle its business operations into four arms -- consumer, business, infrastructure and diversified businesses -- in what the company is calling a "natural step" to link together its services in order to better serve their subscribers. "The management changes further align our employee teams, product offerings and resources around consumer and business customer segments, and integrate the management of our core infrastructure capabilities," said AT&T spokesman Michael Coe in an email to TheStreet.com. "We expect these organizational changes will make us more effective and efficient in our sales and operations." The Wall Street Journal reported late Monday that Ralph de la Vega, head of AT&T's wireless unit, will head up the new consumer unit, which will include its broadband, TV and mobile services. The business unit will be headed by Ronald Spears, who has been the group president of AT&T's global business services arm. Additionally, John Stankey, who has been group president of telecom operations, will take over the top spot of the new infrastructure unit, and Ray Wilkins will remain CEO of the diversified businesses unit, which manages yellowpages.com and international investments. Shares of AT&T finished up 17 cents, or 0.6%, at $27.92. Chief rival Verizon (VZ Quote - Cramer on VZ - Stock Picks) climbed $1.47, or 4.8%, to $32.09. Among cable companies, which have come under pressure as telco shops have offered new video and high-speed Internet services, Comcast (CMCSA Quote - Cramer on CMCSA - Stock Picks) added 9% to $19.63 and Time Warner Cable (TWC Quote - Cramer on TWC - Stock Picks) gained 2.3%, to $24.20.
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