RBOC Areas Definition and Discussion

RBOC means Regional Bell Operating Company. RBOCs are aka LECs, Local Exchange Companies and Baby Bells. They were originally a part of AT&T but were split off from mother bell by court order in 1984 into seven regional companies. Since 1984, some RBOCs changed names, merged with and/or purchased other companies.

Today, the RBOC Areas are: Bell South, Qwest (formerly US West), AT&T or Southwest Bell (only areas that were formerly Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell, or Ameritech), and Verizon areas that were originally Bell Atlantic or NYNEX. Most landline phones in the USA are in RBOC areas.

Certain Telecommunications products and services, for example, some low long distance rates are only available in RBOC areas. Because of mergers and purchases by RBOCs, some rates available in "RBOC Areas" are not available in areas now served by RBOCs.

However, even if you are outside the RBOC areas, input your phone number in the Best Rate Calculator or the service order page(s) and, before you finalize placing the order, you will be shown the rates applicable for your location.