Regional phone companies like SBC Communications, formerly Southwestern Bell, which owns 10 percent of Telmex, are still barred from entering the American long-distance market.

So Southwestern Bell, for example, has just bought two cable television companies in the Washington suburbs, opening what seems likely to be an era of violent leapfrogging.

SBC Communications, formerly Southwestern Bell, recently filed for permission to offer long-distance service in 16 states, including New York.

Threat to Local Companies Southwestern Bell already owns a cellular telephone franchise in the Washington market.

Companies Southwestern Bell and Bell South reached agreement with their unions, and three other regional phone companies continued to negotiate past the expiration of labor contracts.

Last week, for example, the union accepted about 8 percent in a tentative agreement with another regional, Southwestern Bell.

AT&T Inc., an American telecommunications company founded 1983 (formerly Southwestern Bell or SBC Communications)

What's currently branded AT&T was once Southwestern Bell (SBC), one of the local/regional telcos formed from the break up.

Among those rumored to have considered partnerships with Viacom were Southwestern Bell and Bell Atlantic.

Remember that (the now) AT&T was formerly Southwestern Bell.