Date in year · 1982 · The 1980s

January 8, 1982

On January 8, 1982, breakup of the Bell System: In the United States, AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions. The year's #1 song was "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John. Taran Killam, Andreas Thorkildsen, Andre Ethier would arrive in the same year.

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1982

1980s

Featured · January 8, 1982

Breakup of the Bell System: In the United States, AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions.

The Bell System held a virtual monopoly over telephone infrastructure in the United States from around the early 20th century until January 8, 1982. It consisted of the parent American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T), which directly provided long-distance service, while local service was provided by 24 local Bell Operating Companies, which were owned whole or in part by AT&T, while its manufacturing subsidiary Western Electric produced almost all of its equipment, which was largely designed at the research and development subsidiary Bell Labs. As a result, AT&T had substantial control over the United States' communications infrastructure.

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Around 1982

The year in brief

1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1982nd year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 982nd year of the 2nd millennium, the 82nd year of the 20th century, and the 3rd year of the 1980s decade.

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What happened

On January 8, 1982

1982 Breakup of the Bell System: In the United States, AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions.

1982 US government action ending telephone monopoly

The Bell System held a virtual monopoly over telephone infrastructure in the United States from around the early 20th century until January 8, 1982. It consisted of the parent American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T), which directly provided long-distance service, while local service was provided by 24 local Bell Operating Companies, which were owned whole or in part by AT&T, while its manufacturing subsidiary Western Electric produced almost all of its equipment, which was largely designed at the research and development subsidiary Bell Labs. As a result, AT&T had substantial control over the United States' communications infrastructure.

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