What 7 companies did AT&T split into?

Posted on: 10 Aug 2024
What 7 companies did AT&T split into?

Driven in 1982, this process began with the U.S. Department of Justice ordering the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, which had dominated the telephone sector, to split into seven separate businesses under an antitrust action. The goal was to unbind AT&T's monopoly on phone services thereby deregulating the American telecoms sector. AT&T Internet divided into seven entities here: AT&T divided into seven entities here:

1. Ameritech

Among the seven regional Bell operating businesses established upon AT&T's breakup was Ameritech. They provided consumers in five midwestern states—including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin—local phone services. Before being acquired by SBC Communications in 1999, it serviced long-distance calling, cellular service, internet access, and cable TV.

2. Bell Atlantic

Bell Atlantic started helping the Mid-Atlantic States together with the District of Columbia after AT&T's separation. Among the primary local services the firm provided were telephone services; it also entered the wireless communication market. In 2000 Bell Atlantic amalgamated with GTE and rebuilt its company as Verizon Communications, which is still running.

3. BellSouth

Established to offer phone service over several areas within the Southeastern part of the United States, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, as well as Tennessee, BellSouth was one of the seven regional Bell Operating companies, sometimes known as Baby Bells. It provided wireless telecommunications services in addition to local and long-distance phone services, therefore engaging in voice telecommunication. BellSouth began its business in 1984 and was dissolved in 2006 when combined with AT&T.

4. NYNEX

Established to provide local phone services to customers in New York as well as the North East area of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont after AT&T split up, NYNEX was In 1996 NYNEX amalgamated with Bell Atlantic another business. Once it merged with GTE, the acquiring firm adopted the Bell Atlantic moniker and then renamed it to Verizon Communications in 2000.

5. Pacific Telesis

Founded after AT&T's division into 22 smaller businesses, Pacific Telesis Group (PAC Tel) was one of the Baby Bells. Originally established in San Francisco, PAC Tel's main offerings were local and regional phone services; while it also offered long-distance communication options and internet access. Pacific Telesis PCS was created when SBC Communications acquired Pacific Telesis in 1997.

6. Southwestern Bell

Among the seven regional phone companies established when AT&T was sold in 1982 was Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Operating with local and interstate calls, it was in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Over the years, Southwest Bell ADDENDA participated in wireless phone services and Internet access. After merging with AT&T Corporation in 2005, the firm has changed its name multiple times over its commercial life to the present known as AT&T Inc.

7. US West

US West was one of the seven regional Bell operations offering phone services in fourteen western and mid-western United States. Their service range included the Midwestern region to the Rocky Mountains to the Northwestern section of the United States of America. Among all the states participating in the study were Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. In 1998 US West also joined with Qwest Communications.

The predicted effect of AT&T's divestment from a monopoly in the phone sector was more market competitiveness. Although most of the Baby Bells would eventually combine back together or be absorbed by other telecoms firms, the spin-off did drive developments in new technology frontiers such as mobile phones as well as internet access. Out of 7, a lot smaller businesses have developed over the years into what we know as Verizon AT&T, and so on.

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