Bell System facts for kids
The Bell System was a huge group of telephone companies in the United States and Canada. It was first led by the Bell Telephone Company. Later, AT&T (which stands for American Telephone and Telegraph Company) took over. For a long time, the Bell System was almost the only company providing phone service. This is called a monopoly.
The Bell System started way back in 1877. Many people used to call it "Ma Bell."
On December 31, 1983, the Bell System was broken up. It was divided into several smaller, independent companies. These new companies were often called "Baby Bells."
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What Was the Bell System?
The Bell System was like a giant family of companies. They worked together to make sure people could make phone calls across the country. They built phone lines, made telephones, and connected calls.
For many years, if you had a phone in your home or business in the U.S., it was probably connected through the Bell System. They were very important for how people communicated.
The Bell System's Beginning
The Bell System began in 1877. This was not long after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. The main company was the Bell Telephone Company. It grew very quickly.
Over time, it became a huge network. It included local phone companies, long-distance services, and even companies that made phone equipment. This is why it became known as a monopoly.
The Big Breakup: "Ma Bell" Divides
By the 1970s, the Bell System was so big that the U.S. government thought it had too much control. They worried it stopped other companies from competing fairly. So, a big lawsuit happened.
This lawsuit ended on December 31, 1983. The Bell System was officially broken up. This event is often called the "divestiture." AT&T kept its long-distance service and equipment making. The local phone services were split into new companies.
The "Baby Bells" Are Born
After the breakup, seven new, independent companies were created. These were the "Baby Bells." Their official name was Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). They provided local phone service in different parts of the country.
The original Baby Bells were:
- BellSouth
- Southwestern Bell
- Bell Atlantic
- Southern New England Telephone (SNET)
- NYNEX
- Pacific Telesis
- Ameritech
What Happened to the Baby Bells?
After the breakup, the Baby Bells started to change and merge with each other. This created new, even bigger companies.
SBC Communications
In 1994-1995, Southwestern Bell changed its name to SBC Communications. SBC then bought other Baby Bells.
- Between 1997 and 1999, SBC bought Pacific Telesis, SNET, and Ameritech.
Verizon
In 1997, Bell Atlantic joined with NYNEX. This made Bell Atlantic much larger. It started serving areas like New York state and New England.
- In 2000, Bell Atlantic bought another big phone company called GTE (General Telephone and Electronics Corporation). After this, the company changed its name to Verizon.
Qwest and CenturyLink
In 2000, a company called Qwest bought US West, which was another former Bell System company. Qwest Communications became the surviving company.
- Later, in 2010-2011, Qwest was bought by CenturyLink. The company was then renamed CenturyLink. It still operates in many U.S. states.
AT&T Inc.
The original AT&T, which kept the long-distance service, also went through changes.
- In 2005-2006, AT&T merged with BellSouth and SBC. The company that survived these mergers was named AT&T Inc. This new AT&T became one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.
Images for kids
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Logo used from 1889 to 1900
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1912 Bell System advertisement promoting its slogan for universal service
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Logo style of Bell System affiliated companies from 1921 to 1969
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195 Broadway, AT&T headquarters for most of the 20th century
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The Spirit of Communication as used on the Bell System's directories in the 1930s–40s
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Manhole cover with Bell System logo
