In seven pages Talk America is examined in terms of its history, telecommunications status, economics, and the industry itself. Five sources are cited in the bibliography.
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the mid-1980s pretty much held the monopoly on telephone service (through its "Baby Bells"). While the service was expensive because it was the only game in town, it was simpler
to understand. Then came the breakup of this huge monopoly and the change in how we regard telecommunications today. The first to
offer any real competition to AT&T were long-distance services (of which MCI became the first AT&T competitor in this arena). Then came other services such as local access to phones,
wireless communications and Internet access. In the wake of these activities, more companies began cropping up that "bundled" the services together for the benefit of consumers.
While the larger companies also offer "bundles" - AT&T, for example, has managed to offer a special deal on its long distance rates for users that
rely on AT&T broadband for Internet connections - some of the smaller companies, such as Talk America, based in Virginia, have had some good luck in penetrating and making a
reputation in this particularly volatile market. Unlike the "good old days" of AT&Ts monopoly, todays telecom market is one of overlaps, similar services, bundling and attempting to create consumer demand,
something that flies well within the face of standard economic theory of supply and demand. This essay will explore Talk America, touch
on its history, and discuss the environment in which it operates today. The environment for any type of reseller or telephony company is complicated and difficult - but Talk America
has survived within it for more than a decade. History and Product Talk America, unlike its competitors, began life in 1989 under