Advanced American Telephones
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications equipment manufacturing |
| Predecessor | American Bell Consumer Products, AT&T Consumer Products, Lucent Technologies Consumer Products |
| Founded | January 1, 1983 (as American Bell Consumer Products) |
| Founder | American Bell, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Telephones (cordless, corded including Trimline models), answering machines |
| Owner | VTech |
| Parent | VTech |
VTech Innovation, L.P., operating under the name Advanced American Telephones, specializes in manufacturing telephones.
History
On January 1, 1983, American Bell Consumer Products was created as a division of American Bell, Inc. in response to the Modification of Final Judgment, which mandated that American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) distribute equipment through a distinct subsidiary. This division offered terminal devices such as the Trimline telephone via Bell PhoneCenter Stores and retailers including Sears and Target. Although products displayed the "Western Electric" brand alongside the Bell logo, they were not marked as "Bell System Property".
Following the divestiture of the Bell Operating Companies, American Bell was rebranded as AT&T Information Systems, and its consumer products branch became AT&T Consumer Products, with Bell PhoneCenters renamed AT&T PhoneCenters. Telephones transitioned from Bell and Western Electric insignias to display the AT&T logo. From January 1, 1984, AT&T Consumer Products oversaw both leased and manufactured telephones. In 1989, it merged into AT&T Technologies. By 1995, it discontinued Phone Center retail operations to concentrate on leasing and sales through other retail channels. The following year, it became part of Lucent Technologies due to an AT&T corporate spin-off.
In 1996, the division was renamed Lucent Technologies Consumer Products, L.P. (LTCP), maintaining its existing business model. LTCP participated in the 1997 joint venture Philips Consumer Communications, which ultimately did not succeed; however, LTCP remained intact after the venture dissolved.
In 2000, Lucent restructured by divesting its Network Systems division as Avaya and selling off its Consumer Products segment. The telephone leasing operations were transferred to Consumer Phone Services, while the consumer telephone manufacturing unit was purchased by VTech on April 2, 2000.
Today
The manufacturing division formerly known as LTCP now operates as VTech Innovation, L.P., trading as Advanced American Telephones. Manufacturing activities have relocated to China, and the company holds a licensing agreement permitting use of the AT&T brand on all telephones it produces. Advanced American Telephones’ devices are prominently featured in AT&T’s home phone service promotions.
The current product lineup emphasizes cordless telephones, select corded options such as Trimline models, and multi-line desk telephones. The company retains trademark ownership of names including Trimline and Design Line and continues to manufacture answering machines.