TELECOMMUNICATIONS

GTE Corp. to Launch Long-Distance Service: A state Public Utilities Commission ruling is expected today that would allow the Stamford, Conn.-based firm to enter the long-distance market in California. GTE, hoping to gain an early lead in the competitive race unleashed by the federal Telecommunications Act that was signed into law in February, said it will roll out the new services by the end of the week. The law allows local telephone companies, long-distance operators, cable companies and other competitors to enter one another’s markets. GTE has already begun offering long-distance service in Michigan and Minnesota; it hopes to expand that to all 28 states where it now provides local calling by the end of the year.