During Gifford’s presidency, AT&T experienced tremendous growth. Gifford increased operating revenue from $657 million to $2.25 billion. During Gifford’s tenure, the wire mileage of AT&T rose from 39.5 million to 113 million, and the number of Bell telephones in use rose from 11.25 million to 28.5 million. In 1927, Gifford launched his firm’s overseas operations and by 1948, 72 foreign countries were linked by wire and radio with Bell lines.