September 29, 1999, Background: Bell Atlantic today asked the
FCC for authority to provide long distance services to customers in New
York state. This action starts a 90-day process for FCC consideration
of whether Bell Atlantic has fully opened its New York market to
competition, as required by section 271 the Telecommunications Act of
1996.
The following statement should be attributed to MCI WorldCom:
"Bell Atlantic's application for authority to enter the
long distance market in New York reflects the leadership of the state
Public Service Commission and considerable progress by Bell Atlantic
toward opening its market to competition over the last 18 months. The
process is nearly finished and can be completed by the end of this
year. Bell Atlantic, New York regulators, the Department of Justice,
and the FCC all know what needs to be done. Bell Atlantic's actions
over the next few weeks will determine MCI WorldCom's views on
whether this application should be granted."
