As a result of 2011, net income of Western Union has increased by 28% to $ 1.165 billion, the company reported. In 1935, Western Union has put into operation first intercity fax communication. In 1879 Western Union left the telephone business after losing a lawsuit against Alexander Graham Bell - the patent holder on the phone. In October 1871 the company Western Union began to provide money transfer services, drawing on its own extensive telegraph network. Number of active holders of "Golden Card" of Western Union amounted to 9.5 million people worldwide.