SBC asks for long-distance OK in Illinois

SBC Communications said Tuesday that it filed for approval to offer long-distance phone service in Illinois with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), a state regulatory agency. SBC expects the state review of its application will last until mid-2002, and, if approved, the telecommunications carrier will then file with the Federal Communications Commission for final approval. The ICC will work with KPMG, an independent contractor, to determine if SBC has opened up its local phone networks to competitors in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996. SBC has gained FCC approval in the past to offer long-distance service in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Other carriers such as Qwest Communications International, Verizon and BellSouth are also seeking approval to offer long-distance service in their territories, a move that provides another source of revenue for the "baby Bell" phone companies.