Page 23 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

AT&T Senior Executive Vice President and CFO John Stephens Updates

Shareholders

John Stephens, senior executive vice Xfinity and Roku, the company anticipates asset divestitures), with gross capital
president and chief financial officer activations of HBO Max will continue investment in the $21 billion range.2 This
of AT&T Inc., spoke at the Citi Global to increase. In fact, Stephens said that builds upon management’s guidance of at
TMT West Virtual Conference where he the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on least $26 billion of free cash flow in 2020.
provided an update to shareholders. HBO Max contributed to high subscriber Stephens also said that AT&T continues to
He addressed the following areas: engagement over the holiday season and take a thoughtful and thorough approach
Customer-centric approach. Stephens that AT&T will provide updated details on to monetizing non-core strategic assets
said that AT&T’s significant investment HBO Max subscribers when it announces and investing capital effectively. The
in network performance, combined with fourth-quarter earnings. Continued company has refinanced more than $60
attractive wireless device pricing for financial flexibility in 2021. AT&T expects billion of debt at historically low rates and
both new and existing customers, should to have the financial flexibility in 2021 to reduced its amount of debt coming due
continue to drive migrations to unlimited continue to invest in growth areas, sustain through 2025 by about $30 billion. AT&T
plans and momentum in the company’s the dividend at current levels and focus on will provide its 2021 financial outlook and
wireless business. Additionally, with the debt reduction. Stephens reiterated that capital allocation guidance when it reports
introduction of a hybrid distribution model in 2021, the company expects to generate fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 results
for the Warner Bros. 2021 slate of movies, free cash flow in the $26 billion range1 on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
combined with new distribution deals with (exclusive of proceeds from potential

BT And Digital Boost Launch Free Mentoring
Program for UK Small Businesses

BT launched a new mentoring program to support small lacked skills in building business resilience. BT is responding to
businesses during the pandemic, in partnership with Digital these concerns by increasing access to free, expert advice to 1,000
Boost, a free non-profit platform which unites digital experts with small firms initially, with a view to further expanding the reach of
leaders of small businesses. BT has pledged to deliver free one- the program over the coming months. Pete Oliver, MD SME for
to-one coaching sessions to at least 1,000 small businesses as BT’s Enterprise unit, said: “Helping small businesses to acquire
part of its Small Business Support Scheme, which launched last new skills and boost their confidence during these exceptionally
Summer. The mentoring initiative is open to all BT employees and challenging times is a central part of BT’s Small Business Support
has been successfully trialled with a number of small businesses Scheme. We’ve already equipped a further 20,000 small businesses
prior to launch. BT has enlisted the expertise of its colleagues with digital skills since the launch of the scheme and now we’re
across the business – including senior executives - to upskill going even further by introducing a free mentoring program. By
small businesses on a range of topics, including Cyber Security, partnering with Digital Boost, we can engage our own colleagues
Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, and more. Digital Boost will around the need to step up and support small businesses, with
connect individuals from small businesses with relevant BT experts around the company volunteering their time as BT
experts via its free online platform, where small businesses are mentors. “Our ambition is to scale this very quickly, involving
able to register their interest in booking a free virtual mentoring colleagues from all levels, including the senior leadership team.
session. BT launched its Small Business Support scheme last
Summer – a broad range of measures to help small businesses
get better positioned for growth during and beyond the pandemic.
The scheme aims to do this by boosting the connectivity, cashflow
and confidence that many small firms say they lack as a result of
the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The new mentoring program
forms a key part of BT’s efforts to drive skills and optimism
amongst small firms, with an earlier survey conducted by BT and
Small Business Britain revealing that more than half (53 per cent)
lack confidence in the future of their business. 63 per cent of small
firms felt they needed more support in marketing and sales; 44 per
cent wanted more assistance with digital skills; while 36 per cent

23 JANUARY 2021