SBC Seeks Delay of Phone Access Rules

SBC Communications Inc. is asking federal regulators to delay portions of new rules that would cut by about 7% next year the $23 billion that local phone companies collect to complete long-distance calls. The rules, approved unanimously by the Federal Communications Commission on May 7, are part of a wide-ranging agency initiative to cut and revamp the so-called access charges while simultaneously establishing a fund to link all the nation’s schools and libraries to the Internet and to maintain subsides for poor and rural phone customers. SBC, parent of Pacific Bell, said it will file an appeal in federal court and wants the FCC to delay the rules during that process. SBC’s stock closed down $1 at $57.25 on the New York Stock Exchange.