American telephone industry

The American telephone industry has evolved significantly since its inception in the late 19th century. Initially dominated by companies like AT&T, it provided landline services nationwide. The industry underwent major changes in the 1980s when AT&T was broken up to encourage competition. Today, it includes a mix of landline and mobile services, with major players like Verizon and T-Mobile. Modern innovations like smartphones and the internet have transformed communication, leading to developments such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and 5G networks, thereby enhancing connectivity and making communication more accessible than ever.