REGION

REGION
SBC Ameritech faceslong-distance hurdle
COLUMBUS -- SBC Ameritech must show state regulators by February that its job performance merits its entry into Ohio's long-distance market, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio said Tuesday.
Ameritech informed state regulators Nov. 12 that it intends to apply to the Federal Communications Commission no later than March 1 for approval to enter the long-distance business in Ohio.
As part of that application, the PUCO has ordered an outside audit and will accept other audits of Ameritech's performance, as well as comment from other interested parties. Those include would-be competitors that criticize Ameritech's record of accepting competition in local phone service.
Associated Press