SBC Global Services, Inc. history

SBC took its publishing ventures to the international market when its publications subsidiary in 1984 won a contract to be the Yellow Pages sales and collection agent for Telecom Australia.

In 1989 SBC's cellular business began to be profitable, while its larger competitors were still showing losses.

Another international move in 1990 was SBC's agreement to purchase West Midlands Cable Communications in the United Kingdom; this system included the largest cable television franchise in that country.

Later in the year SBC completed its exit from cable television when it sold the two systems in Maryland and Virginia it had acquired from Hauser Communications in 1993.

In 1994 SBC called off a proposed $1.6 billion acquisition of a 40 percent interest in Cox Cable of San Diego Inc.

1996: SBC acquires Pacific Telesis Group for $16.5 billion.

In 1997 rumors of a proposed merger between AT & T, the United States' largest long-distance carrier, and SBC, the largest local service provider, came to an end when the FCC voiced its disapproval.

Continuing to prepare for the day when it would be allowed to compete for long-distance service, SBC announced in February 1999 it would acquire up to ten percent of Williams Companies' telecommunications division for about $500 million.