When UT purchased its own telephone switch, it arranged for long-distance service through AT&T, and STAN cards were issued to students so that calls, which had to be made with the assistance of an operator, could be charged at the direct-dial rate. In 1983 AT&T announced that it would no longer provide STAN cards. UT Telephone Services began negotiations with other companies and suggested that students obtain a South Central Bell credit card, which would provide calling at direct dial rates plus 50 cents.