(Admin note: I actually talked to Joybubbles a few times before his passing in 2007.) Famous Phone Phreaker Joybubbles is now in a documentary that is being showcased at several viewings throughout the US. I do not know if or when it will be available for wide release. https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/joybubbles-documentary-rachael-morrison-interview Read more…

April 4, 2026 – T-Mobile is thinking about buying Uniti Fiber, which just bought Windstream (marketing as Kinetic Fiber). So in essence, T-Mobile might own a “wireline” phone company after all. Just like Verizon and AT&T do (at least for the moment).  https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/t-mobile-might-buy-kinetic-fiber-assets-uniti-group

December 24, 2025 – The inevitable has started. AT&T in Oklahoma (former Southwest Bell) is slowly turning off central offices. The first appears to be a small town called Hitchcock, OK, about an hour NW of Oklahoma City. This is a VERY small town that was served by a 5ESS… Read more…

December 11, 2025 (Updated March 2026) – I heard from an industry contact that the Lansing, MI 4ESS switch (LNNGMIMN50T) is slated to be powered off tonight. Traffic through the switch has already been rerouted elsewhere. This is considered to be the last 4ESS in the lower 48 states. Only…

May 9, 2025 – Long time website This Is a Recording (originally by Jennifer Martino) is now owned and operated by Telephone World. We thank Jenn for her hard efforts in running the site for many years. We wish to continue the tradition for many more years to come. If…