Verizon gives New Jersey another try

Verizon Communications said Tuesday that it has refiled its application with regulators to offer long-distance phone service in New Jersey. The Baby Bell carrier pulled its application last week after facing opposition over the "hot cut" fee it charges competitors. If a Verizon customer wants to use another phone company, Verizon bills the competitor for the switch. Verizon has reduced the fee to a level similar to what it charges competitors in New York. Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, dominant local phone companies must prove they have opened their local networks to competitors to enter the long-distance market. Verizon provides local phone service and Internet access in the Northeast and has received regulatory approval to offer long-distance phone service in New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.