On This Day in Telephone History December 31ST 1983, the Bell System was divided into independent companies by a U.S. Justice Department mandate. The Bell System was the system of companies led by AT&T. AT&T (originally The Bell Telephone Company) provided telephone services to much of the United States and Canada from 1877 to 1984. Becoming effective January 1ST 1984, the Bell System’s member companies were merged into seven independent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), a.k.a. "Baby Bells". This divestiture reduced the book value of AT&T by approximately 70%.

On this Day in Telephone History December 31ST 1983

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On This Day in Telephone History December 31ST 1983 the Bell System was Divided into Independent Companies by the U.S. Justice Department
The Bell System was the system of companies led by AT&T. AT&T (originally The Bell Telephone Company) provided telephone services to much of the United States and Canada from 1877 to 1984. Becoming effective January 1ST 1984, the Bell System’s member companies were merged into seven independent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), a.k.a. “Baby Bells”. This divestiture reduced the book value of AT&T by approximately 70%.