Bells Plow Ahead with Remaining Long Distance Applications

Qwest Communications International Inc. today filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for authority to provide long-distance service in Oregon, New Mexico and South Dakota. The FCC has 90 days to review the application.

Denver-based Qwest says it plans to file applications for long-distance authority in Arizona and Minnesota within the next few months, completing requests for long-distance authority within its entire 14-state region.

Last month the FCC approved Qwest’s application to provide long-distance service to residential and business customers in nine states: Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Qwest and its Bell brethren –- BellSouth Corp., SBC Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. –- were prohibited from selling long-distance services within their local regions until they demonstrated to state and federal regulators that their networks are open to local phone companies.

BellSouth Corp., the No. 3 local phone company, has received long-distance approval within its entire nine-state territory. Verizon, the nation’s largest local phone operator and third or fourth largest long-distance carrier, is awaiting federal approval in Maryland, Washington D.C. and West Virginia, the only remaining jurisdictions where it has not been granted federal authorization.

SBC, the No. 2 local phone company, also is well on its way to receiving long-distance authorization within its entire 13-state region. The company provides long-distance service in seven states – Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Yesterday SBC filed an application with the FCC for long-distance authorization in Nevada. The company says it expects to seek approval in Michigan this week as well. The Michigan Public Service Commission on Monday issued an order noting that SBC has complied with a 14-point checklist designed to ensure SBC has opened its network to competitors.

In the remaining Ameritech states -- Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin -- SBC plans to file applications with the FCC within the next 12 months, a spokesman said.

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