The Bell System

The Bell System refers to the network of companies led by the Bell Telephone Company, which was established by Alexander Graham Bell in the late 19th century. It was responsible for developing and operating the telephone infrastructure in the United States for many decades. The system included manufacturing, operating, and providing telephone services. In the 1980s, due to antitrust regulations, it was broken up into several smaller companies, leading to increased competition and innovation in telecommunications. The legacy of the Bell System remains influential in the evolution of modern telephone services and communication technologies.