09:11 AM EDT, 10/22/2025 (MT Newswires) -- AT&T ( T ) on Wednesday reported an unexpected year-over-year increase in third-quarter postpaid phone subscribers, while the telecommunications giant anticipates full-year earnings to be at the higher end of its previously issued outlook range.

The company added 405,000 net postpaid phone subscribers in the September quarter, up from 403,000 the year before, defying the consensus on FactSet for a drop to 334,100. In the previous quarter, the company logged additions of 401,000 subscribers, according to an earnings presentation.

"We continue to add highly-profitable customers that are choosing AT&T ( T ) for all their connectivity needs on the country's fastest and largest wireless and fiber networks," Chief Executive John Stankey said in a statement. "It's clear our differentiated investment-led strategy is working, and we remain on track to achieve all of our 2025 consolidated financial guidance."

Per-share adjusted earnings are expected to be at the higher end of its guidance range of $1.97 to $2.07 per share for 2025, the firm said. The Street is looking for non-GAAP EPS of $2.05. The company continues to project service revenue to increase in a low-single-digit range, mobility service revenue to rise by 3% or above, and mid-to-high-teens consumer fiber broadband revenue growth.

For the third quarter, AT&T's ( T ) adjusted EPS remained unchanged year over year at $0.54, in line with the average analyst estimate on FactSet. Operating revenue improved 1.6% to $30.71 billion, but fell short of the Street's view for $30.87 billion.

Communications revenue inclined 1.5% to $29.52 billion in the third quarter as growth in mobility and consumer wireline helped offset a decline in business wireline, which came in amid persistent decreases in legacy and other transitional services. Within mobility, service and equipment revenue advanced amid subscriber gains and higher sales volume of wireless devices.

AT&T ( T ) continues to expect adjusted EPS to accelerate to double-digit percentage growth in 2027.