SBC acquired AT&T in 2005 and rebranded as AT&T, bringing former regional Bell companies into a single national operator. Today AT&T provides wireless (AT&T Mobility), wired broadband (AT&T Internet and AT&T Fiber), legacy landline and IP voice services, and business network solutions. Availability and product names have changed since the SBC era, and fiber deployment varies by market.

What happened to SBC?

In 2005 SBC Communications completed a purchase of AT&T Corp. and adopted the AT&T name, folding SBC's regional Bell companies under the AT&T brand. The result was a single, national company that combines former regional incumbents - including Pacific Bell, Southwestern Bell, Nevada Bell, SNET and Ameritech - with AT&T's long-distance and wireless operations.

What services does AT&T provide now?

AT&T today offers a mix of services across consumer and business markets: wireless service through AT&T Mobility, wired broadband (DSL and fiber) under AT&T Internet/AT&T Fiber, legacy landline voice and IP-based voice services, and business network and cloud offerings.

Landline subscriptions have declined industrywide as customers shift to mobile and VoIP. AT&T continues to sell residential and business voice plans where it operates local networks, and it also offers VoIP-style home voice features bundled with broadband.

Broadband: from DSL to fiber

AT&T moved beyond the early "SBC Yahoo! DSL" era and now promotes AT&T Internet and AT&T Fiber as its primary broadband brands. AT&T Fiber delivers much higher speeds than DSL where it is available; DSL remains an option in areas without fiber. Deployment of fiber has been expanding but varies by market and is often limited to selected cities and neighborhoods.

Bundles and business products

AT&T still offers bundled plans that combine internet, voice and TV or streaming services for residential customers in some areas, and a broad suite of business services (VPN, dedicated internet, cloud, and managed IT). Product names and bundle details have evolved many times since the SBC-era offerings.

The footprint and legacy companies

The companies once operating under the SBC umbrella (listed above) became operating units within AT&T's larger structure. That consolidation gave AT&T a national footprint that spans wireless service nationwide and wired network assets concentrated in many states. Exact coverage and product availability depend on local network ownership and ongoing investment. 1

How to choose a provider today

If you need voice service only, check whether a local incumbent or VoIP provider offers better value. For high-speed internet, compare AT&T Fiber availability and speeds with competitors (cable or other fiber providers) in your area. For businesses, confirm service-level agreements and managed services that match your needs.

  1. Confirm current geographic coverage and market-by-market availability of AT&T Fiber and AT&T Internet.
  2. Verify the current consumer-facing product names and whether any legacy brand names (e.g., Yahoo DSL) remain in use.
  3. Confirm details on local wired network ownership and the current states where former SBC regional companies operate.

FAQs about Sbc Telephone Service

Did SBC become AT&T?
Yes. In 2005 SBC acquired AT&T Corp. and adopted the AT&T name, integrating SBC's regional Bell companies under the AT&T brand.
Does AT&T still offer DSL and landline service?
AT&T continues to offer DSL and legacy landline voice in areas where it operates local networks, but many customers have shifted to fiber, cable broadband, mobile, or VoIP services.
What is AT&T Fiber?
AT&T Fiber is the company's high-speed broadband product that provides much faster speeds than DSL where it has been deployed. Coverage varies by city and neighborhood.
Are the old regional companies like Pacific Bell still separate?
Those companies now operate as part of AT&T's regional operating structure; their historic names remain part of the company's legacy but retail branding is unified under AT&T.