RES 83307 - Laserfiche WebLink

communications services and equipment within their specific territories. WECO is the manufacturing and supply unit, and the Bell Labs conducts research and development for the Bell System. Pacific Telephone draws support from these resources in providing efficient telephone service in California. AMERICA~ TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY (AT&T) - PRESENT As the parent company, AT&T has ownership in 23 Operating Companies, a majority interest in 21 and a minority interest in two. AT&T also owns W'ECO, the manufacturing and supply unit, and jointly with WECO, owns Bell Labs, the research and development organization.. This time-tested structure enables the Bell System to coordinate research, manufacturing, and work operations effectively. (The present "break-up" of AT&T provides that a fully separated subsidiary of AT&T shall be responsible for customer premise equipment (CPE) and this subsidiary shall be supported by WECO and Bell Labs. The regulated companies, such as Pacific Telephone, shall be responsible, among other things, for the network connecting "end to end' public communications. Such a "break-up" does not in any way diminish Pacific Telephone's responsibility to provide sound communications services to Pleasanton within its legal franchise.) AT&T is presently made up of two Departments: The General Departments establish policy, provide coordination, and perform the planning function of the Bell System. Coordination and planning assure that switching systems and operating practices are compatible throughout the communications network. These concepts have made possible the development of the present dynamic and dependable nationwide communications network--designed, built, and operated as a single system under unified management. AT&T Long Lines Department, headquartered in Bedmin- ster, New Jersey, builds, operates, and maintains a nationwide network for long-distance transmission facilities which interconnect the Bell System Oper- ating Companies and the Independent Telephone Com- panies. These facilities provide for transmission of telephone calls, radio and television programs, data, and other types of messages. Long Lines also provides the overseas links that connect U.S. tele- phones with the rest of the world. As the interstate and international service unit of the Bell System, AT&T Long Lines works closely with the Bell Systm Operating Companies that provide local and regional telephone servie; with Bell Laboratories which provides research and development in communications technology; and with WECO which provides the wide range of communications equipment required to meet customers' expanding communications needs.