ATT, (nor BellSouth) uses install or repair contractors. I will vouch for that 100% in the former BellSouth territory. If you had a pots or DSL install/repair in that area, it was an employee.
In the southeast in the past 6 months they have started to outsource DSL and networking installs and probably some trouble calls.
Absolutely not for work on the line coming into the house though.
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