SBC raises DSL rates

SBC Communications, the Baby Bell local phone company, has ended a yearlong DSL (digital subscriber line) promotion, thus raising its rates for the consumer high-speed Internet service to $49.95 per month from $39.95 per month. Consumers no longer are required to sign a one-year commitment, however. The new promotion went into effect Feb. 1.In addition, SBC has implemented three new offers for consumers who would like to purchase a personal computer at discounted prices in conjunction with their DSL order. Entry-level, middle-tier and high-end PCs from Compaq Computer are available. The computers are discounted by $500, $275 and $225 apiece when purchased through SBC with a DSL connection. SBC, the nation's leading DSL provider, has more than 750,000 DSL customers.