Final answer:
To ensure reliable service, one would typically choose a provider with a history of consistent and dependable service. In the realm of phone services, AT&T is an example of such a provider, although the evolution of technology has opened the market to multiple firms offering similar reliability with new technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you need reliable service, you would choose a service provider known for its consistency and dependability. In the context of phone services, considering historical precedent, a company like AT&T, which used to have a monopoly on both local and long distance service due to the prevailing technology of the time, was known for reliability.
However, as technology evolved from wired systems to microwave and satellite transmission, the monopoly was broken, allowing multiple firms to provide service using the same transmission mechanisms. This increased choices for consumers, which can make decisions harder as you try to determine the best plan for your situation.
When looking for a service provider, take into account the available technology and how it shapes the services offered. Reliable service once meant having a single, expansive network like that of AT&T, but now may mean choosing a provider that has adapted well to new technologies, such as satellite and cellular systems, while still maintaining high service quality.