[Editor's note: Mr. South's first article provided a brief history of AT&T as as a regulated monopoly and the forces that drove to the 1984 break-up of "Ma Bell". Part 2 examines the aftermath of the break-up, particularly its impact on telecommunication services to rural areas.] Click here to read Rural America Needs Advanced Services & Competition – Part 1 AT&T was immediately thrown into a competitive world, having to formally “interconnect” with its previous corporate subsidiaries and others. The Bell Operating companies would continue their local regulated monopoly services with all the requirements (Carrier of Last Resort, etc.) associated with that position. But the handwriting was on the wall…..the word of the day was competition and even the individual Regional Bell Companies soon looked at the other regions (and everyone else in the marketplace) as competitors. Bottom line; the telecommunications world was turned upside down. Local Access and Tandem Areas (LATAs) were designed….“Access Charges” was added to the industry glossary of terms… Organizations were created, such as NECA, ECSA, etc., to assist in the management of interconnecting carriers. The complexity of this event was compounded due to the number of other participating carriers & companies, such as the 1,000+ non-Bell independent and […]
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