Preferred Shares	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 10. PREFERRED SHARES We have authorized 10 million preferred shares of AT&T stock, each with a par value of $1.00 per share. Cumulative perpetual preferred shares consist of the following: Series A: 48 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 5.00%. Series B: 20 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a €100,000 per share liquidation preference, and an initial dividend rate of 2.875%, subject to reset beginning on May 1, 2025. Series C: 70 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 4.75%. So long as the preferred dividends are declared and paid on a timely basis on each series of preferred shares, there are no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T common shares. The preferred shares are optionally redeemable by AT&T at the liquidation price generally on or after five years from the issuance date, or upon certain other contingent events.

Preferred Shares

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 10. PREFERRED SHARES

We have authorized 10 million preferred shares of AT&T stock, each with a par value of $1.00 per share. Cumulative perpetual preferred shares consist of the following:

Series A: 48 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 5.00%.

Series B: 20 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a €100,000 per share liquidation preference, and an initial dividend rate of 2.875%, subject to reset beginning on May 1, 2025.

Series C: 70 thousand shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 4.75%.

So long as the preferred dividends are declared and paid on a timely basis on each series of preferred shares, there are no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T common shares. The preferred shares are optionally redeemable by AT&T at the liquidation price generally on or after five years from the issuance date, or upon certain other contingent events.