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And I still have that original black rotary-dial wall phone on my wall too.

When my folks died years ago, I turned in their old black rotary-dial phone. I think it was made of cast iron plastic. Anyway, they had been leasing the phone for 35 years from Ma Bell. I think they paid about $2k for it. AT&T told me that I had to turn it in at their service center. When I went down there, I asked if I could keep it. They absolutely refused. I couldn't figure that one out.

AT&T told me that I had to turn it in at their service center. When I went down there, I asked if I could keep it. They absolutely refused. I couldn't figure that one out.

Too durable, never needed repairs unless struck by lightning very directly (because they were designed to withstand bazillions of lightning strikes in above-ground telephone wires on poles in rural America). That's why I keep mine though I use wireless phones usually. Even with underground lines, a hit near the junction boxes can take out the newer phones. They tried to coax us out of these cast-iron wall phones for years but they finally gave in and let us buy these. I have a spare one too (for that matter, I have one of the old dialless party line phones in the basement that belonged to my grandparents). I just love tormenting the under-twenties with this old behemoth wall phone. They look at me like I'm a caveman. LOL.

Also, Bell wanted to sell their own phone lines after the breakup of the monopoly, big profits, more repair fees, etc.