American Bell Telephone Company formed to provide local telephone service in selected areas.
1885:
AT&T incorporated as subsidiary of American Bell to provide long distance service. Becomes parent company of Bell system in 1899.
1902-1980:
Thousands of independent local telephone companies formed across the country upon
expiration of AT&T patents. Many serve small towns and rural areas. Approximately 1,300 independent local exchange carriers still exist today.
1913:
Missouri General Assembly creates the Public Service Commission.
1934:
Congress creates the Federal Communications Commission.
Phone companies are required to interconnect.
Universal Service Fund principles are formalized.
1984:
AT&T divestiture occurs, resulting in establishment of seven independent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) to provide local and intra-state long distance telephone service to existing customers.
Telephone customers can now own their own telephone equipment and are responsible for wiring in their homes. Equipment manufacturers flood the market.
1995:
The Internet, in use since the 1960s, takes hold in the consumer marketplace and revolutionizes how Americans communicate.
1996:
Congress passes the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to open local markets to competition. Coincides with rapid growth of the Internet and wireless industries.
Missouri General Assembly enacts legislation implementing the federal act in state law.
1997-2002:
More than 10,000 competitive local exchange carriers form.
More than 125 million Americans now have wireless telephones.
