Following deregulation in the 1980s, carriers were allowed to make connections to local lines at the central office. Pacific Bell, however, refused to let carriers either mount antennas on top of their building or install their equipment in the central office. This was strategic: Pacbell expected that one day it would be allowed to compete in the long distance market in exchange for letting other carriers use its wiring from the central office to the handset.
To circumvent these restrictions, MCI mounted microwave antennas on One Wilshire. Designed by Skidmore Owings and Merrill and built in the 1960s, One Wilshire had the advantage of being one of the tallest buildings in downtown Los Angeles while also being located only 3,000 feet from the central office.
To circumvent these restrictions, MCI mounted microwave antennas on One Wilshire. Designed by Skidmore Owings and Merrill and built in the 1960s, One Wilshire had the advantage of being one of the tallest buildings in downtown Los Angeles while also being located only 3,000 feet from the central office.
