AT&T Technologies
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications equipment |
| Predecessor | Western Electric Co., Inc. |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | AT&T |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Fate | Renamed and spun off as Lucent Technologies |
| Successor | Lucent Technologies |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Telephones, telecommunications equipment, research and development in computing technologies |
| Owner | AT&T |
| Parent | AT&T |
AT&T Technologies, Inc. was founded by AT&T in 1983 in preparation for the breakup of the Bell System, which took effect on January 1, 1984. It took over the corporate charter from Western Electric Co., Inc.
Formation
In the aftermath of the Bell System divestiture, AT&T reorganized into three primary divisions. The entities American Bell, Bell Labs, and Western Electric were incorporated into AT&T and consolidated under AT&T Technologies, which encompassed:
- AT&T Bell Laboratories – Research and development
- AT&T Consumer Products – Sales of consumer telephone devices
- AT&T International – Overseas operations including partnerships such as Goldstar Semiconductor (56% Goldstar, 44% AT&T), with activities in Taiwan, Spain, and other locations
- AT&T Network Systems – Equipment for corporate networks
- AT&T Technology Systems – R&D focused on computing technologies
Telephone manufacturing
Between 1984 and mid-1986, AT&T Technologies continued producing telephones originally made by Western Electric. The "Bell System Property" labels on plastic components were replaced with "AT&T," while metal bases still displayed "Western Electric." On Trimline phone bases, Bell logos were deliberately concealed.
Modifications to telephones
The final Western Electric models integrated increased electronic components and utilized more plastic parts due to advances in manufacturing methods. In 1985, the Trimline 2220 model was updated to include a touch-tone/pulse dialing switch, replacing the rotary dial of the 220 model. These new devices featured markings stating "AT&T TECHNOLOGIES - MADE IN U.S.A." and incorporated integrated circuits identified by WExxx model numbers.
Production at Western Electric’s Indianapolis facility ended in 1986; subsequently, residential telephone models such as the Trimline and 2500/2554 series were manufactured abroad in countries including Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China. These international units did not carry Western Electric branding except for modular cord plugs marked with "WE." Instead, they were labeled as "Custom Manufactured in (country) by AT&T" or "for AT&T" when produced in China.
The Shreveport Works plant continued operations focusing on business-oriented models like Princess and 2500/2554 phones, alongside multiline key systems such as the Merlin and Spirit. Production of payphones also remained active at this site.
Residential manufacturing returned to North America in 1993 with the opening of a new facility in Mexico. At this time, modular plug markings transitioned from "WE" to "HHE" or "ECI," marking the end of Western Electric branding on AT&T phone products. The Princess telephone model was discontinued in 1994.
Divestiture
In 1995, AT&T declared a plan to divide into three distinct companies: one concentrating on manufacturing and R&D, another on computing technology, and a third focused on services. As part of this reorganization, NCR, Bell Labs, and AT&T Technologies were intended to be separated by 1997. To support this process, AT&T Technologies was renamed Lucent Technologies and was fully spun off in 1996.