ConTel Corporation (Continental Telephone) was the third largest independent phone company in the United States prior to it being acquired by
GTE
GTE Corporation, formerly General Telephone & Electronics Corporation (1955–1982), was the largest independent telephone company in the United States during the days of the Bell System. The company operated from 1926, with roots tracing furth ...
in 1991.
History
Contel was founded in 1961 by Charles Wohlstetter, Philip J. Lucier, and one other partner. Continental was formed with the acquisition of the 2,000‐station Millstadt Ill., telephone. exchange. Philip J. Lucier was the company’s president until his death in July 24, 1970, after a bomb exploded in a company auto mobile on the parking lot of the Pierre Lacleve Center in Clayton. Mr. Lucier was in the driver’s seat at the time of the explosion.
In 1980, Contel purchased Network Analysis Corp, then the largest information technology consulting company in the world. As a result of this purchase, future
Internet Hall of Fame
The Internet Hall of Fame is an honorary lifetime achievement award administered by the Internet Society (ISOC) in recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Internet.
Overview ...
Pioneer
Howard Frank served as president and CEO of Contel Information Systems, a subsidiary of Contel Corporation from 1969 until 1985.
In 1986
ConTel of Indiana broke precedent and rescinded a 25¢ increase in their rates after a large protest. The vice president
Merle Buck stated the protests were not about the decision, but for a decrease in interest rates and an abnormally good year in revenue for the company offset the costs the increase would have offset.
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries of Contel included:
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Contel of the South (Georgia)
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Contel of California (including lines in Arizona and Nevada)
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ConTel of Illinois
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ConTel of Indiana
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Contel of Kentucky
*Contel of Minnesota
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Contel of Missouri
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Contel of New Hampshire
*Contel of New York
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Contel of North Carolina
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Contel of the Northwest (Idaho, Oregon and Washington)
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ConTel of Pennsylvania
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ConTel Quaker State
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Contel of South Carolina
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Contel of Vermont
*Contel of Virginia
*Contel of the West (Arizona and Utah)
References
{{reflist
External links
ConTel's History in the West Indies
* ttps://www.nytimes.com/1970/07/25/archives/head-of-continental-telephone-is-killed-by-a-bomb-in-his-car.html Head of Continental Telephone Is Killed by a Bomb in His Car
Verizon
Telecommunications companies of the United States
Companies based in Atlanta
1991 mergers and acquisitions
Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange