Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs)

Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) are companies that were created in the 1980s when the original Bell System was broken up to promote competition. They are responsible for providing local telephone and sometimes broadband services within specific geographic areas, known as regions. RBOCs are regional subsidiaries of AT&T or other parent corporations, focusing on essential communication infrastructure and services. Their formation allowed for more competition and innovation in local telecommunications, while still maintaining local service operations. Today, many RBOCs have merged or rebranded, but they continue to serve as key players in regional communications infrastructure.