In the early forties of the 20th century, Western Union has used the first time a commercial intercity microwave transmission system. In 1935, Western Union has put into operation first intercity fax communication. In the early 60s Western Union has put into operation transcontinental microwave system of data transmission via radio waves, completely replacing the web of telegraph poles and wires. Separation of the companies had two objectives: first, to give Western Union the opportunity to develop more intensively, and secondly, to help First Data to return to its original activity (in 1992 the company separated from the payment system of American Express as an independent financial services company). In 1991, Western Union has sold some low-profit division of the company AT & T, GM Hughes Electronics, and to some others. In the same year the company changed its name to New Valley Corp. The first offices of company were located in the Reynolds Arcade building in Rochester, New York. The sign above the main entrance to the building -