1974day.year
The United States Department of Justice files its final anti-trust suit against AT&T Corporation. This suit later leads to the breakup of AT&T and its Bell System.
The U.S. Department of Justice files its final antitrust suit against AT&T, paving the way for the company’s breakup.
On November 20, 1974, the United States Department of Justice lodged its final antitrust lawsuit against AT&T Corporation, alleging monopolistic practices in telecommunications. The suit targeted AT&T’s control over local telephone service, equipment manufacturing, and long-distance networks through its Bell System. This legal challenge culminated in a landmark 1982 consent decree that mandated the breakup of AT&T into regional Baby Bells. The decision reshaped the telecommunications industry, fostering competition and innovation in telephone and data services. It also influenced regulatory approaches in other sectors dominated by single providers. The breakup led to the proliferation of new companies and advanced communication technologies. The case remains a cornerstone of antitrust jurisprudence in the United States.
1974
United States Department of Justice
AT&T Corporation
Bell System