We undertake a study where we examine changes in the profitability, productivity and price recovery of firms in the U.S. telecommunications industry over a sixteen-year period. We assess the performance of thirty-three major companies in the local-exchange sector over six time periods 1975,...

Optimal firm size and patterns of returns to scale among the local exchange companies in the U.S. telecommunications industry are estimated for the years: 1975, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1987 and 1990. The independent companies display increasing returns to scale, while the Baby Bells display constant...