“FCC eases more Bell regulations”

Bells May Merge Local Operations, Long Distance...

The Federal Communications Commission told the three remaining Baby Bell companies that they can bring their long-distance arms in-house, ending a requirement to operate these units as separate businesses.

The agency said the new rules would allow the three dominant wired phone companies, AT&T Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., to merge their long-distance businesses with their main operations.

The move lets the companies cut duplication of marketing, customer-service and other operating costs. The companies' request to merge the long-distance operations wasn't considered controversial because customers are increasingly using their wireless phones to make long-distance calls.

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