TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Justice Dept. Ready to Open Local Phone Markets: Assistant Atty. Gen. Anne K. Bingaman said the action would be taken in the absence of a new law aimed at shattering long-held monopolies. Increased competition could be a first step toward removing restrictions on the regional Bell companies that date back to the 1984 breakup of AT&T; Corp. In a National Press Club speech, Bingaman stressed that the department would prefer that Congress pass a comprehensive rewrite of the nation’s telecommunications policies.