BellSouth Telecommunications

For the holding company created in 1984 as a Regional Bell Operating Company, see BellSouth. For the predecessor company founded in 1879, see Southern Bell.

BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC was a telecommunications company that operated in the southeastern United States. It consisted of the former operations of Southern Bell and South Central Bell and was a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation, which was acquired by AT&T on December 29, 2006.^[1][2][3] It is now fully operated by AT&T.

BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC

Formerly	SBT&T Co. Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Telecommunications
Predecessor	Southern Bell, South Central Bell
Founded	1983; 42 years ago (1983)
Defunct	2007; 18 years ago (2007)
Fate	Absorbed into AT&T
Headquarters	AT&T Midtown Center Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Area served	Southeastern United States
Key people	David Scobey (president)
Products	POTS, DSL
Parent	BellSouth Corporation (1984–2006) AT&T (2006–2007)
Website	www.att.com www.bellsouth.com

History

AT&T Midtown Center, BellSouth Telecommunications (d/b/a AT&T Southeast) headquarters, Atlanta

BellSouth Telecommunications was formed in 1992 when BellSouth Corporation consolidated its operating companies, South Central Bell and Southern Bell, into one entity. It was a wholly-owned by BellSouth Corporation.^[4]

In 1995, South Central Bell and Southern Bell were officially dropped and only BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. was used in marketing.^[4]

On March 5, 2006, AT&T (SBC after acquiring the original AT&T) announced its intentions to acquire BellSouth Corporation,^[2] and, on December 29, 2006, BellSouth Telecommunications became an operating company of AT&T^[1][3] The merger also consolidated the ownership of Cingular Wireless, which became AT&T Mobility.^[2]

In 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against BellSouth, alleging that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. BellSouth enforced 275-pound weight limit for its employees, intended to screen out those with Class III obesity.^[5]