The Bell System was a system of companies that provided telephone services in the United States, primarily under the ownership of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). Established in the late 19th century, it became the dominant provider of telephone services, connecting millions of customers through a vast network of telephone lines and equipment. The Bell System was known for its innovations in telecommunications, including the development of the first long-distance telephone service. It operated until the early 1980s when it was broken up due to antitrust regulations, leading to the creation of several regional companies, often referred to as the Baby Bells.