Two telecommunications giants recently showcased the contrasting sides of the 5G and connectivity ecosystem. On August 6, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced it selected Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (NASDAQ:ERIC) to supply 600 MHz dual-band radios to support the deployment of its newly acquired spectrum from EchoStar. The partnership reinforces AT&T's ongoing network modernization while keeping Ericsson deeply embedded in U.S. carrier infrastructure.
Shortly after, on August 10, AT&T demonstrated real-world execution by upgrading wireless connectivity at Mississippi State University's Davis Wade Stadium using a Distributed Antenna System powered by Airspan's MobileAccess 6000. While AT&T is actively converting network upgrades into sticky, high-margin subscriber growth, Ericsson faces the capital-intensive burden of hardware delivery.
Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is showing a stronger financial trajectory and cash-generation profile than its equipment vendor partner, Ericsson. In Q2 2026, AT&T's consolidated revenue increased 2.3% year over year to $31.6 billion, supported by a 5.1% increase in Advanced Connectivity service revenue. Adjusted EPS surged 20.4% to $0.65, beating the $0.59 consensus estimate, while adjusted EBITDA rose 5.2% to $12.3 billion, producing a strong 39.1% margin. Free cash flow reached $4.7 billion, enabling management to raise its full-year share buyback target to $10 billion while maintaining its forecast for more than $18 billion in full-year free cash flow.
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (NASDAQ:ERIC), meanwhile, faced weaker operating momentum in Q2 2026, with net sales declining 6% year over year to SEK 52.7 billion, or approximately $5.0 billion, due to lower IPR licensing revenue and uneven carrier capital spending. Net income fell 12% to SEK 4.1 billion, or approximately $390 million, although adjusted gross margin remained resilient at 48.4%. Free cash flow before M&A, however, plunged from SEK 2.6 billion to just SEK 385 million, or approximately $36.7 million.
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Shortly after, on August 10, AT&T demonstrated real-world execution by upgrading wireless connectivity at Mississippi State University's Davis Wade Stadium using a Distributed Antenna System powered by Airspan's MobileAccess 6000. While AT&T is actively converting network upgrades into sticky, high-margin subscriber growth, Ericsson faces the capital-intensive burden of hardware delivery.
Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is showing a stronger financial trajectory and cash-generation profile than its equipment vendor partner, Ericsson. In Q2 2026, AT&T's consolidated revenue increased 2.3% year over year to $31.6 billion, supported by a 5.1% increase in Advanced Connectivity service revenue. Adjusted EPS surged 20.4% to $0.65, beating the $0.59 consensus estimate, while adjusted EBITDA rose 5.2% to $12.3 billion, producing a strong 39.1% margin. Free cash flow reached $4.7 billion, enabling management to raise its full-year share buyback target to $10 billion while maintaining its forecast for more than $18 billion in full-year free cash flow.
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (NASDAQ:ERIC), meanwhile, faced weaker operating momentum in Q2 2026, with net sales declining 6% year over year to SEK 52.7 billion, or approximately $5.0 billion, due to lower IPR licensing revenue and uneven carrier capital spending. Net income fell 12% to SEK 4.1 billion, or approximately $390 million, although adjusted gross margin remained resilient at 48.4%. Free cash flow before M&A, however, plunged from SEK 2.6 billion to just SEK 385 million, or approximately $36.7 million.
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