SBC reorganized into AT&T after the 2005 merger and expanded from traditional local phone service into broadband and wireless. Today AT&T offers home phone service chiefly via VoIP, plus AT&T Fiber and legacy DSL where available, with bundle options and online account tools. Market shifts have moved voice from copper landlines to IP-based services.

History in brief

SBC (Southwestern Bell Corporation) reorganized and completed a takeover of AT&T in 2005, adopting the AT&T name. The combined company absorbed legacy regional systems - including brands once known as Ameritech, PacBell, Nevada Bell and others - and moved to offer a single portfolio of wireline, broadband and wireless services.

SBC also partnered with Yahoo! in 2001 to package consumer internet services and DSL offerings for residential customers. That early internet-bundling play helped move traditional phone companies into the ISP market, and it set the stage for later broadband and partnership strategies.

What AT&T phone services are now

AT&T today sells home phone service primarily as an IP-based offering (VoIP), together with broadband products under brands such as AT&T Fiber and legacy DSL where available. The company also operates AT&T Mobility, one of the largest U.S. wireless carriers, which many customers use in place of a separate home line.

AT&T's home phone features now mirror typical VoIP packages: unlimited domestic calling plans, call forwarding, caller ID, voicemail-to-text and other digital features. In many areas customers can bundle voice with internet and TV services for a single bill.

Why the shift matters

Over the last decade demand for traditional copper landlines fell as mobile and internet calling rose. AT&T has responded by investing in fiber and IP services while incrementally retiring or de-emphasizing copper infrastructure in some markets.1 The practical effect for consumers: voice service is available, but the technology behind it increasingly runs over broadband rather than analog phone lines.

Choosing a plan and getting support

If you want a home phone today, check whether your address qualifies for AT&T Fiber, AT&T DSL, or a VoIP home-phone plan. Compare the included features and any bundling discounts. AT&T provides online account management, and its customer-support channels cover billing, technical support and service moves.

Bottom line

The company that began as SBC now operates under the AT&T name and offers phone service through modern IP platforms alongside wireless and broadband products. If you still need a dedicated home line, expect a VoIP-style experience and look for bundle options that match your internet needs.
  1. Confirm the current status and timeline details of the SBC-Yahoo! partnership and any material changes since 2001.
  2. Verify the branded name(s) and feature set of AT&T's current residential home-phone/VoIP products (e.g., 'AT&T Phone') as of 2025.
  3. Check the extent and schedule of AT&T's copper/DSL phase-out and which markets still rely on copper infrastructure.

FAQs about Sbc Phone Services

Is SBC still a separate company?
No. SBC reorganized and acquired AT&T in 2005 and now operates under the AT&T name.
Does AT&T still offer a home phone service?
Yes. AT&T offers home phone service delivered primarily over IP (VoIP) and in some areas still supports legacy copper-based lines, depending on local infrastructure.
Can I bundle phone and internet with AT&T?
Yes. AT&T sells bundles that combine home phone with internet (fiber or DSL) and other services where available.
What happened to the SBC–Yahoo! partnership?
SBC and Yahoo! formed a consumer internet partnership in 2001 to bundle ISP and web services. The nature of that relationship changed as the companies and the market evolved.
Should I expect copper landlines to remain available?
Availability varies. Many areas have transitioned toward IP and fiber, and service providers are reducing reliance on copper networks in favor of broadband-based voice solutions.

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