US telecommunications giant AT&T is to acquire DirecTV, a broadcast satellite service company, for nearly $US50 billion.
Photo: AFP (file)
Shareholders will receive $US95 per share under the terms of the merger.
DirecTV has about 20 million customers, making it the No.2 pay-TV company in the United States. It also has more than 18 million customers in Latin America.
AT&T said it would use the merger to expand plans to build and enhance high-speed broadband service to 15 million customers, mostly in rural areas.
