For the 4A to work, long-distance operators needed a code they could dial to connect a call directly to a distant region, and the switches had to recognize a long-distance code.

A bank of long-distance operators kept the telephones buzzing.

Viatel developed a call-back service, an innovative alternative to the high costs of traditional long-distance operators, similar to Econophone (later renamed Destia Inc).

Each Baby Bell can see its local-exchange monopoly coming under increasing pressure from cellular companies, private-line operators and nimble intermediaries offering customers alternative ways to reach long-distance operators.

At that distant time, long-distance calling was performed by manual patching in the route of the call by a series of long-distance operators; connecting a coast-to-coast call this way thus took up to 23 minutes.

The voice techniques are already being used to replace some of A.T.& T.'s long-distance operators, especially in the use of calling cards.

In the long run, that legislation allowd local phone operators to compete with long-distance operators and vice versa.

The rules cap Bell investments in long-distance operators at 10 percent.

Several hundred "job accommodation specialists" help disabled employees, including long-distance operators and telephone repairmen, get specially designed chairs, braille keypads or other equipment and adjustments needed to perform their jobs.

Although it is possible to select a local operator freely, that operator has fixed contracts with long-distance operators, so that anyone choosing a local carrier is practically surrendering all further freedom of choice to the local carrier.