AT&T CEO to Ring NYSE Bell on 150th Anniversary of First Phone Call

Telecom giant marks milestone with $250 billion network investment commitment.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will host AT&T CEO John Stankey to ring the opening bell on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call. The event coincides with AT&T's announcement of a $250 billion, five-year investment to advance U.S. connectivity infrastructure.

Why it matters

The ringing of the NYSE opening bell by the AT&T CEO symbolizes the telecommunications industry's critical role in driving technological progress and innovation over the past century and a half. AT&T's major network investment underscores the company's commitment to modernizing and expanding access to high-speed communications services across the country.

The details

AT&T, the company founded by Alexander Graham Bell after his historic first telephone call in 1876, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of that landmark achievement by having its current CEO, John Stankey, ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The event will also feature the participation of celebrity activists Paris Hilton and Gloria Steinem, who will sign the NYSE Distinguished Guest Book.

  • The first telephone call was made 150 years ago in 1876.
  • AT&T CEO John Stankey will ring the NYSE opening bell on March 10, 2026 to commemorate the anniversary.
  • Paris Hilton and Gloria Steinem signed the NYSE Distinguished Guest Book on March 9, 2026.

The players

John Stankey

The CEO of AT&T, the telecommunications company founded after the first telephone call in 1876.

Paris Hilton

A celebrity activist who participated in the NYSE event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call.

Gloria Steinem

A veteran activist who participated in the NYSE event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

The stock exchange that is hosting the event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call.

AT&T

The telecommunications company founded after Alexander Graham Bell's historic first telephone call in 1876.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to invest in and modernize our nation's communications networks to drive innovation and economic growth for the next 150 years.”

— John Stankey, CEO, AT&T (NYSE)

What’s next

AT&T plans to invest $250 billion over the next five years to expand and upgrade its nationwide network infrastructure, ensuring high-speed connectivity for communities across the United States.

The takeaway

The 150th anniversary of the first telephone call is a milestone moment for the telecommunications industry, underscoring both the remarkable technological progress of the past century and a half as well as the ongoing need for continued investment in modern, resilient communications networks to power the digital economy of the future.