The wireless leader's shareholders have over $45 billion in dividends and stock buybacks headed their way. Shares of AT&T (T +4.65%) popped on Wednesday after the telecommunications titan announced strong subscriber growth metrics. By the close of trading, AT&T's stock price was up more than 4%. The telecom giant also gained 283,000 fiber subscribers and 221,000 5G fixed wireless home internet customers. AT&T intends to return a massive amount of cash to investorsManagement sees AT&T's free cash flow rising to over $18 billion in 2026, $19 billion in 2027, and $21 billion in 2028.