Here's a brief summary of the five major telephone companies.

AT&T Corporation

The tradition of AT&T sprang from the history of the first telephone created by Alexander Graham Bell.

In 1875, Thomas Sanders and Gardiner Hubbard agreed to invest in Alexander Graham Bell's invention. The venture turned out well and Bell thrived in obtaining patents for his creation one year after. To further develop the discovery, the three partners then instituted the Bell Telephone Company in 1877.

Telephone exchanges then operated under the licensed name of the Bell Telephone Company. The following year, the earliest telephone exchanges was launched in New Haven, Connecticut. That initiated the succeeding telephone exchanges that would transpire in US's key towns and metropolis. The company was given a new title, American Bell Telephone Company.

Western Electric Company became American Bell's production entity in 1882. American Bell was able to acquire most of Western Electric's licensees and the venture developed to be recognized as the Bell System.

It was in March 1885 that the AT& T Company was incorporated to be American Bell's subsidiary. Having obtained the rights and assets of American Bell, the AT&T turned to be the Bell System's parent company. In our day, AT&T today is a major international player in providing IP-based systems.

United Telecommunications, Inc., (United Telecom)

The United Telecom spawned in 1892. Cleysen Brown attached a generator to the grain mill of his father, which eventually delivered electricity for Abilene, Kansas. After six years, he installed telephone cable on his electric posts, spreading out the small trade to other neighboring communities. In September 25, 1925, the young business was incorporated as the United Telephone & Electric Company. United Telephone had its share of acquisitions of some private telephone firms. However, United Telephone experienced corporate bankruptcy when Brown died in 1935.

In 1938, United Telephone was incorporated as United Utilities, Inc., together with Central Kansas Power and 7 telephone firms. In 1940s United Utilities developed into a holding company for independent telephone firms because of its several mergers.

United Utilities was given a new name in 1972, United Telecommunications Inc. United Telecom now has a number of subsidiaries in the US-- United Telephone Co. of Kansas, United Telephone Co. of the Northwest, and United Telephone Co. of Minnesota—are among them.

Cox Communications, Inc. is the United States' third biggest telecommunications source. The company's tradition of reliable service was born in 1898 when the former school teacher, James M. Cox instituted the Cox Enterprises, Inc., Cox Communications' parent company. Cox was a three-term governor of Ohio and was a candidate for the U.S. presidency in 1920. Gov. Cox bought the Dayton Evening News, his first newspaper that same year.

Today, Cox Enterprises is serving almost 7 million subscribers and carries the yearly incomes that go beyond $10 billion. The company also earns massive interests in newspapers, radio, vehicles, and television auctions.

Century Tel

Oak Ridge Telephone Company, owned by F.E. Hogan was the forerunner of Century telephone. Hogan sold Oak Ridge to the couple Marie and William Clarke Williams in 1930. It was a family-operated venture at first and in 1968 it became incorporated as Central Telephone and Electronics. That year, Oak Ridge Telephone Company was providing assistance to 3 states. Clarke M. Williams, the Williams' son was the chairman and president.

The company has gotten its new name, CenturyTel, Inc. in 1999. CenturyTel multiplied in size through a number or acquisitions. In 1998, the company bought 19 exchanges and 89,000 access lines in northern Wisconsin regions from Ameritech. From 2000-2002, CenturyTel also acquired Verizon's Alabama and Missouri assets. In 2006, over 52 percent of CenturyTel clients had the option of broadband cable telephone services while 19 percent had the option of Voice over Internet Protocol systems.

Cincinnati Bell Telephone

Cincinnati Bell's former name was The City and Suburban Telegraph Company. In July 5, 1873, it was formally incorporated to become Cincinnati Bell Telephone. Cincinnati Bell became Cincinnati's first company to offer direct communication involving businesses and the residences of the city.

As the telephone was first operated in the city in 1877, the City and Suburban Association had around 50 exclusive telegraph cables between homes and offices. Clients were provided with a code manuscript and telegraph device, and men operators would run foot treadles to power the call bells.

Obtaining a license, Bell Telephonic Exchange operated as Ohio's first telephonic exchange and the country's 10th. The first directory was issued in 1879. Men operators were replaced by women who had to remember all the callers' names. 1,000 clients were serviced by only 25 staff.

Cincinnati Bell Telephone nowadays offers forward-looking telecommunications services to Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.